'Professional' Birmingham pickpocket lived at luxury address but claimed he needed money to eat

A 'professional' pickpocket living at one of Birmingham's most luxurious addresses claimed he stole to buy food and clothes. Alexandru Petcu targeted women in the city centre and swiped their expensive iPhones.

The victims, one of whom was pregnant, spoke of their devastation at losing access to their online banking, important documents as well as sentimental pictures including sonogram images and honeymoon photographs. Meanwhile Petcu was living with Romanian friends at an apartment at The Cube at Wharfside Street.

The 32-year-old who also gave his address as Creighton Avenue, East Ham in London, admitted three counts of theft and was sentenced to two years at Birmingham Crown Court. He targeted the first victim on March 9 this year, struck again on March 13 then a third time on July 11, all while on police bail. The three iPhones he stole were worth more than £2,700 in total.

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Prosecutor Philip Brunt said: "He walked around Birmingham city centre trying to pick targets, in due course standing very close by and stealing items from people's pockets. Frankly it was a professional operation. It was the only reason he was in the city centre to target those people."

One of the victims stated she had an 'emotional breakdown' and felt 'overwhelmed' by the stress of losing her phone. She said it contained 'irreplaceable' honeymoon photographs and voice notes from loved ones who had passed away.

The second victim, who was eight months pregnant at the time, said she nearly had a panic attack at losing her mobile, which had her baby sonogram images saved. She added it was 'extremely distressing' having to cancel her bank cards and revealed she received repayment fines due to not being able to access her bank.

The victim said she no longer felt safe in the city centre and has not returned since. The third woman was followed around Boots by Petcu while she was on a break from work. She spoke of the stress at having to cancel her bank cards when she returned to her shift.

After his arrest Petcu told a probation worker he had been staying at The Cube. Lynette McClement, defending, said: "I understand he was renting a room from Romanian friends. It is one of the city's foremost luxury apartment blocks.

"He tells me he came from London to Birmingham without work because his CSCS (Construction Skills Certificate Scheme) card has expired. He came to Birmingham and was living with Romanian friends at an apartment in The Cube paying £200 a month.

"That's the reason he stole the first phone. He said he stole further phones for food and clothing. I concede it is highly professional pickpocketing. It's clear he observed these women when using mobile phones then followed them."

Petcu claimed he sold the phones to either an Albanian or Turkish person on the street, the barrister added. Recorder Geoffrey Kelly, passing sentence on Monday, October 21, said: "There is no doubt at all in my mind the theft of each of these phones caused each of these victims significant harm and distress."