A prolific bag thief who preyed on City workers has been jailed for two-and-a-half years. Sid Rebai, 36, snuck up on groups enjoying after work drinks in pubs across the City of London to steal their laptops and other valuables.
In a CCTV video Rebai can be seen sliding a bag away from a table with his foot before picking it up and walking off.
He carried out this stunt on multiple occasions in April before being caught by plain-clothed officers at a pub in Aldgate on May 6.
They found a stolen bag on him and arrested him for theft. The victim was identified and officers returned the bag and its contents to him. Today (Monday, July 21) he pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
He was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from entering the City of London for six years.
Inspector Dan Green, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This is another great result in seeing a prolific bag thief behind bars and returning stolen items to victims.
“Our warning to criminals; don’t come into the City to steal bags.
“If you do, you risk being spotted by our plain-clothed officers, who will track you down, arrest you and bring you to justice.”
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