Man wanted over phone thefts between Selhurst and Balham
2:28pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in Where I Live By Nick Hitchens
CCTV images of a man wanted over a series of phone thefts
Images of a man wanted in connection with a series of phone jackings have been released as transport police warn passengers to be on their guard.
British Transport Police are looking for the man after five separate attacks on trains between Selhurst and Balham in two weeks.
In the first offence a woman was approached from behind at 1.30pm at Balham station and had her phone snatched from her hand.
The following day at 2.50pm again at Balham, a man boarded a train and sat by a woman with her phone in her hand.
At Selhurst station he suddenly grabbed her purse and phone and left the station.
The next incident, on August 25, another woman, travelling towards Streatham Common, had her phone snatched from her hand as she was in mid-conversation.
Two days later a man using his phone while the train was waiting at Selhurst station was attacked and had his mobile wrenched from his hand.
He chased the man who dropped the phone and the victim was able to recover it.
Only the next day, on Tuesday August 28, a woman travelling to Streatham with her phone and Oyster Card in her lap was targeted.
The man snatched the items and left the train. The victim believes he took another train at Norbury.
Using CCTV police have identified a man they want to talk to over these thefts.
Police are asking passengers to be wary and keep valuables out of sight and to make a note of their mobile IMEI number which will allow a phone operator to block it in case of theft.
To find out your IMEI no. type *#06# into your phone.
Anyone wo knows this man, or has details regarding the crimes, should call the transport police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting number reference is B6/LSA of 30/08/12
Comments(11)
scottpilgrim
says...
3:52pm Thu 30 Aug 12
Tony L Martin
says...
6:33pm Thu 30 Aug 12
Mariosw11
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7:05am Sat 1 Sep 12
Ketsuban
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9:07pm Sat 1 Sep 12
The closure of youth clubs and playgrounds and unemployment does not drive young people to automatically commit theft. It's time we place the blame on the thieves themselves rather than be apologist and blame everyone but the thief. He's not a victim, but a weak character who makes victims of other people.
G_Whiz
says...
12:44am Sun 2 Sep 12
Tony L Martin wrote:The Judge may put his foot down this time.......A weeks community service i reckon!
After attack a number of women, he thought he would progress to stealing from a man and had to run for his life. Now his picture is on the net and he will be getting a suspended sentence, in no time.
G_Whiz
says...
12:52am Sun 2 Sep 12
Ketsuban wrote:You are correct Ketsuban - I've lived it and know them. Yoof clubs are so uncool innit!
@Mariosw11
The closure of youth clubs and playgrounds and unemployment does not drive young people to automatically commit theft. It's time we place the blame on the thieves themselves rather than be apologist and blame everyone but the thief. He's not a victim, but a weak character who makes victims of other people.
Just as much unemployment and lack of clubs in Liverpool, Sunderland, Glasgow and Leeds.
Stabbings and phone-jackings are a London thing...by far!
kingstonpaul
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1:44pm Wed 5 Sep 12
TheEverardedbutt
says...
10:15am Thu 6 Sep 12
e.com/
Everyone should join this website and use it to store all the IMEI numbers and serial numbers of all your high value electricals
As soon as you report a loss or theft the details are passed to police nationwide. Stores such as Cash converters and cash generators use this database to check the ownership status of high end electricals.
My daughters stolen Ipod was recovered a mere 3 hours later after the thief took it into cash converters and tried to sell it.
It was checked and found to be reported stolen.
The staff delayed the thief whilst waiting for the police to arrive.
My daughter got her Ipod back and the thief was jailed for robbery.
RESULT!!!
EB86
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11:48am Thu 6 Sep 12
kingstonpaul
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1:55pm Thu 6 Sep 12
Your suggestion is really useful. But these cash covertor shops have helped to drive up the theft rate. Many of these stores don't bother to check the database. The biggest scourge are the 'cash for gold' shops (especially as the price of gold has shot up in the past couple of years), because of course it is very difficult to prove ownership of gold jewellery, and much of it lacks any identfication. Talk to any police burglary team and they'll tell you that it is these stores, and their 'no questions asked' approach which has helped ramp-up house burglaries in the area.
scottpilgrim says...
3:52pm Thu 30 Aug 12