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.
