Two women have been handed down sentences for their involvement in a series of pickpocketing incidents that plagued Birmingham City Centre. Sabka Ivanova, aged 36, and Georgieva Stancheva, aged 24, faced justice at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, May 28th, for their roles in the brazen thefts.
Ivanova, hailing from London, embarked on a spree of pickpocketing upon her arrival in Birmingham in February, meticulously targeting unsuspecting victims and making away with thousands of pounds worth of phones. Birmingham’s Operation Willowvale pickpocket team swiftly intervened, launching an extensive investigation aided by CCTV footage to compile evidence against the culprits.
Their efforts bore fruit when it was discovered that Ivanova had returned to Birmingham in March, this time accompanied by Stancheva. Together, they were responsible for the theft of a phone from an innocent shopper. A vigilant security officer recognized Ivanova, prompting swift action from the Operation Willowvale team, resulting in the apprehension of both women on March 2nd.
Ivanova pleaded guilty to four counts of theft from a person and two counts of attempted theft from a person. Stancheva, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to one offence of theft from a person. Their day of reckoning arrived as Ivanova was handed a sentence of two years and 11 months behind bars, while Stancheva received an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, with the condition of completing 180 hours of unpaid work.
Operation Willowvale, a dedicated unit targeting professional organized pickpocket gangs in Birmingham, played a pivotal role in bringing the perpetrators to justice. PC Matt Evans, from Operation Willowvale, lauded the outcome as a victory for the victims, highlighting the profound impact such crimes have on innocent individuals.
The sentencing served as a bittersweet moment for the victims, offering some semblance of closure and retribution for the anguish they endured. Evans reiterated the relentless efforts of law enforcement in combating professional pickpocket gangs, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice for victims and restoring a sense of safety and security to the community.
As Birmingham remains steadfast in its resolve to tackle crime head-on, Operation Willowvale stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of law enforcement personnel in safeguarding the well-being of residents and visitors alike.
