Shoreditch Phone Thief Caught Red-Handed After £15,000 Haul
A man has admitted stealing more than £15,000 worth of mobile phones from partygoers in Shoreditch bars in a single night.
Peter Ogunsakin’s Night Out Turns Into Pickpocketing Spree
Peter Abel Ogunsakin, 45, from Stockwell Gardens Estate in Lambeth, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to 17 counts of theft and one of handling stolen goods. The crimes all took place on the night of Friday, 5 April, into the early hours of Saturday, 6 April.
Police stopped Ogunsakin in a blue Ford Focus in Kennington Park Road after he failed to stop for a routine traffic stop. A search found him with four mobile phones — including one with a woman’s name on the case. Searching his car uncovered another 18 phones hidden under a car mat and on the back seat.
Caught on CCTV at Bars Across Shoreditch
Despite claiming he had been at home and only visited a kebab shop and nightclub in Aldgate that night, CCTV revealed Ogunsakin was spotted at four of five Shoreditch venues where victims reported their phones stolen.
He was even caught on camera slipping his hand inside a female’s bag in one club. His driving licence was scanned for entry into a venue at 1.53am, contradicting his claim to police that he was not in Shoreditch.
Victims Get Phones Back, Thief Faces Sentencing
- 17 victims identified after police fast-tracked enquiries
- All stolen phones were returned
- Ogunsakin to be sentenced on a date yet to be set
PC Barry Ward, investigating officer, said: “Ogunsakin went out that night on a pick-pocketing spree, showing no care for the upset caused to his victims. This case is a reminder to revellers to stay vigilant on a night out.”
Ogunsakin appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and awaits sentencing at Inner London Crown Court.
