Cousins nabbed after £20,000 mobile phone heist at Marlborough Vodafone
Masked Mobsters Storm Vodafone
Two cousins pulled off a daring smash-and-grab robbery, making off with £20,000 worth of phones from a Vodafone store on Marlborough’s High Street. The offenders, Becam Radu, 21, from Enfield, and his younger cousin Emanuel Radu, 19, from Edmonton, burst into the shop on December 12, 2024, wearing balaclavas and threatening staff with violence.
High-Speed Arrest on the M4
Their escape was short-lived. Unknown to the pair, some stolen phones were actually dummy devices fitted with trackers. Wiltshire Police sprang into action and, just 20 minutes after the emergency call, arrested the duo on the M4 at 4:20pm.
- Becam and Emanuel were both charged with robbery.
- Emanuel also faced charges of dangerous driving during the getaway.
Sentenced to Youth Detention
At Swindon Crown Court today, the cousins received their sentences:
- Emanuel Radu: Two years and 10 months in a young offender institution.
- Becam Radu: 28 months in a young offender institution.
Victims Left Traumatized
A shaken Vodafone staffer called the ordeal “the scariest thing that has ever happened to me in my whole 22 years of life.” He added:
“The impact has been huge from a psychological point of view and is not something I ever see going away. The behaviour of these two individuals is absolutely disgraceful.”
Police Praise Quick-Thinking Staff
Detective Constable Michael Land of Wiltshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department praised the victims and employees for their swift actions. He said:
“Thankfully, no one was physically harmed during Becam and Emanuel Radu’s brazen thievery.
I commend the shop workers whose quick thinking protected customers and helped us catch both criminals fast.
This case shows Wiltshire is a hostile place for London-based crooks, and we’re tough on those threatening our communities.”
This case highlights how clever tracking tech and rapid police response are turning the tide against retail bandits.
