Three women jailed after 97-year-old hugged and kissed by thieves who stole jade bracelet off her wrist
The trio "worked together to distract, charm and steal from lone women" across Manchester, using hugs, compliments and kisses as cover to snatch jewellery. They have been sentenced to a combined eight years in prison.
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Three women have been jailed for a string of distraction thefts in which they hugged, kissed and complimented vulnerable women before stealing their jewellery.
Police said Geta Schian, 33, Sefora Mazarache, 27, and Geneza Dumitru, 35, "worked together to distract, charm and steal from lone women in the community."
The most shocking incident saw a 97-year-old woman targeted on Dale Street in Manchester city centre on January 10. The victim, who uses a walking aid, was waiting for her husband to pick her up when she was approached by Mazarache and Schian, who began to hold her hand, hug her and kiss her.
It was all a ruse to distract her as they stole a jade antique bracelet from her hand. They were captured on clear CCTV footage.
What other incidents were they involved in?
Less than two hours earlier on the same day, all three women approached a woman on Oxford Road who was waiting for her daughter. Two spoke to her while the other stood watch. One hugged her and attempted to take a ring from her finger. The woman shouted for help and the thieves fled.
On November 27 last year, Mazarache and Schian approached a woman walking home along Oxford Road, began to grab and hug her, then took her under an archway where one pulled a gold bracelet from her wrist before they ran off in separate directions.
In October, Mazarache approached a mum walking her son to nursery on Meldon Road in Rusholme, complimenting her and her child while pulling on her ring finger. She also tried to grab the woman's mobile phone as her victim screamed for help.
What sentences were handed down?
The trio were arrested on January 14 and sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (July 6).
Sefora Mazarache, of Jessop Street, Manchester, was sentenced to 38 months for attempted robbery. Geta Schian, of Calbourne Avenue, east London, was sentenced to 28 months for attempted theft from a person. Geneza Dumitru, of Dukinfield Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 28 months for robbery.
PC David Dombai from GMP's Neighbourhood Crime Team at Longsight said: "We hope this sentence sends a message that robbery will not be tolerated. We will pursue offenders and bring them to justice. If you see anything like this, please do report it to the police and we will pursue it with the greatest importance."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where did the thefts take place?
- The incidents occurred in Manchester city centre, including Dale Street and Oxford Road, as well as Meldon Road in Rusholme.
- How did the thieves distract their victims?
- The offenders approached lone women, offering compliments, holding their hands, and hugging them to mask the removal of jewellery.
- What sentences did the women receive?
- Sefora Mazarache received 38 months, while Geta Schian and Geneza Dumitru were each sentenced to 28 months in prison.