Two Women Jailed for Birmingham Pickpocket Spree
Two women have been locked up for a series of brazen pickpocketing raids across Birmingham City Centre. Sabka Ivanova, 36, from London, and 24-year-old Georgieva Stancheva faced sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on May 28.
Pickpocket Duo Targeted Shoppers, Stole Thousands
Ivanova kicked off her crime spree in February after arriving in Birmingham, swiping phones worth thousands from unsuspecting victims. Police swift as a fox launched Operation Willowvale, using CCTV to track down the thieves.
March saw Ivanova return, this time teaming up with Stancheva. The pair snatched a phone from a shopper until a sharp-eyed security guard recognised Ivanova. Thanks to this lead and the dedicated Operation Willowvale unit, both women were arrested on March 2.
Sentences Delivered: Jail Time for Ivanova, Suspended Sentence for Stancheva
- Ivanova pleaded guilty to four thefts and two attempts, and was sentenced to nearly three years behind bars.
- Stancheva admitted one theft and was handed an eight-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, plus 180 hours of unpaid work.
Operation Willowvale Praised for Justice
PC Matt Evans from Operation Willowvale hailed the sentencing as a win for victims who suffered at the hands of these pro criminals. “These crimes leave lasting scars, and we are relentless in catching offenders and protecting our community,” he said.
Birmingham continues its tough stance on crime, with Operation Willowvale proving to be a crucial weapon in cracking down on organised pickpocket gangs and keeping residents and visitors safe.
