Three women have been jailed for a string of distraction burglaries in Manchester city centre, where they stole valuable jewellery from lone and vulnerable women. Geta Schian, 33, Geneza Dumitru, 35, and Sefora Mazarache, 27, worked together to charm and distract their victims, often complimenting or hugging them before quickly attempting to make off with their jewellery.
Victims targeted across Manchester
On one occasion, Schian and Mazarache stole an antique jade bracelet from a 97-year-old woman waiting on her own for her husband in Manchester city centre. The trio were arrested on suspicion of theft and robbery-related offences in January and were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday (July 6) to a combined total of more than six years in prison.
Greater Manchester Police said that on October 9 last year, Mazarache approached a woman walking with her young son on Meldon Road in Rusholme at around 12:30pm. Mazarache began to compliment the woman and her young child, then reached for her hand and pulled on a ring she was wearing, causing her pain. Mazarache also attempted to snatch the woman’s mobile phone as she screamed for help before walking away.
Further incidents and arrests
On November 27 last year, Mazarache and Schian approached a woman walking home along Oxford Road and began to grab and hug her, before asking for food and money. They then took the woman under an archway and one pulled the gold bracelet from her wrist, before running off in separate directions. On January 10 this year, another woman waiting for her daughter on Oxford Street at around 2pm was approached by Mazarache, Schian and Dumitru. Two of them began to talk to the woman while a third remained on lookout. One of the women then hugged the victim and attempted to take the ring off her finger. The trio ran off when she shouted for help.
Later that same day, Mazarache and Schian approached a 97-year-old woman waiting on Dale Street for her husband to pick her up. She was leaning on her walking aid as they approached, the court heard. The women began to hold the elderly woman's hand and hugged and kissed her – while at the same time snatching a jade antique bracelet off her wrist.
Sentences handed down
The trio were arrested on January 14 and have now each been handed sentences of over two years each. Geta Schian, of Calbourne Avenue, east London, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for attempted theft from the person of another. Sefora Mazarache, of Jessop Street, Manchester, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for attempted robbery. Geneza Dumitru, of Dukinfield Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for robbery.
PC Dombai from the Neighbourhood Crime Team at Longsight said: “We hope this sentence sends a message that robbery will not be tolerated. We will pursue offenders and bring them to justice. If you see anything like this, please do report it to the police and we will pursue it with the greatest importance.”
