‘Professional pickpocket’ targeted mums in shops
A “PROFESSIONAL pickpocket” who preyed on new mothers distracted by their babies while shopping in Birmingham city centre is facing deportation.
Pansella Radu swiped purses from unsuspecting women out shopping, with victims targeted while browsing in Marks & Spencer and Primark.
The 20-year-old, who was heavily pregnant at the time, used her bump to blend in while prowling children’s sections and struck in the few months the shops were open to visitors in Birmingham.
In an unusual move, West Midlands Police this week issued an image of Radu to urge shoppers to “be on their guard”.
And Pc Mat Evans, from the city centre team, vowed to pursue her “deportation through immigration” following her latest convictions. Police said Radu racked up 11 convictions and a caution in just a year – including several pickpocketing offences and associated frauds where she used stolen bank cards. She was caught shortly after she pinched a purse from a handbag while prowling the children’s section of Marks & Spencer on September 5 last year.
Radu was bailed but while awaiting a court appearance, on December 4, she struck again in Primark when she grabbed a purse from the back of a pushchair.
The victim wrestled back the purse and she was detained by security staff. Radu was charged with theft and the following day she was bailed by Birmingham magistrates.
But brazen Radu walked straight from the courtroom into JD Sports to steal another purse using the same tactics.
City centre officers spotted her on
December 14 and she was arrested yet again.
She was remanded into prison over Christmas and on January 26, was given a 12-month community order alongside a 20-day rehabilitation activity by a judge at the city’s crown court.
Pc Evans said: “Radu was heavily pregnant during the offences and used this to help her blend in while looking for victims in the children’s section of shops.
“She callously targeted mums who were distracted with babies – and struck during the few months visitors were able to come into Birmingham last year between the Covid-19 lockdowns.
“Radu is a professional pickpocket who despite only having been in the UK for 12 months has racked up a large number of convictions. She has shown no remorse for her victims and not paid any compensation.
“I will be pursuing her deportation through Immigration following these latest convictions.”