The dark arts of a serial thief behind a spate of distraction thefts have been revealed after she was jailed for eight months.
Nirex Stanescu was put behind bars after pleading guilty to nine counts of mobile phone theft.
Police say the 24-year-old entered restaurants in various locations, approaching people eating meals with their phones on tables.
Stanescu would place a map or other paperwork over the phone before distracting her victims.
CCTV shows Stanescu, of no fixed abode, duping one victim in a Surrey restaurant – having also committed thefts in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire – between April and July of this year.
She was eventually arrested on September 25 and pleaded guilty to her crimes during a hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on September 27, where she was sentenced to eight months in prison.
Det Const Michael Hanson, of Thames Valley Police, said: ‘Stanescu would use distracting techniques to target her victims, stealing their phones when she employed these tactics.
‘I am pleased that she pleaded guilty at the first hearing and has now been sentenced to prison as a result.
‘I hope that her time in prison is used constructively to reflect on her offending behaviour.
‘Although Stanescu used distractive techniques, this case is a timely reminder of the risks involved in leaving property in full view.
‘I would advise people to keep their property close at hand, or out of sight, in order to prevent opportunists such as Stanescu targeting them.’
Inspector Chris Thoday, of Surrey Police, added: ‘We worked closely with Thames Valley Police to ensure Stanescu was held accountable for her repeated and targeted offending that stretched across multiple counties.
‘By reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, we identified Stanescu and her tactics for stealing mobile phones.
‘This type of distraction theft is something we’re seeing right across Surrey, so we urge people to stay aware of their surroundings and secure their belongings while out.’
Police said that to minimise the risk of your phone being stolen, keep it out of sight when in a public area.
They said to make sure your phone is password-protected and when you leave a table, even if just for a short time, always take your phone with you.
They advised that if a stranger ever asks to use your phone, don’t hand it to them.
Instead, offer to make the phone call on their behalf and put it on speakerphone.
If you lose or have your phone stolen, call your network provider and get the phone blocked as soon as possible.