Nottinghamshire Police report they have arrested a man on High Street in the village today (Tuesday 7th November) on suspicion of a number of recent distraction thefts against elderly people.
The 29 year-old was initially detained by three quick thinking office workers after he’d approached a 77 year old woman asking for change just after she’d used the Post Office cashpoint. After changing £5 for him she realised £156 had been stolen and called out for help. Justin Halpin, who works at Elevate RTC, heard her yell “stop him!” and chased and caught the man along with two of his colleagues. Justin posted on Facebook: “I restrained him ’til the police arrived. I took him down and he stopped struggling.” Leah Calladine added: “Apparently she isn’t his first victim. He asks for change and then takes what he can. Luckily we managed to stop him and hold him until the police came.” The arrested man has been remanded in police custody ahead of a court appearance tomorrow.
Detective Sergeant Kayne Rukas said: “I want to say a massive thank you to the members of the public who helped today. They are a great credit to their community.”
UPDATE THU 9th NOV:
The man arrested in Ruddington on Tuesday has been named as Dragos Stoica, of Alfreton Road, Nottingham. He’s pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court to six counts of theft and two counts of attempted theft. He’s been sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay £630 to his victims.
Detective Constable Simon Carter said: “Stoica consistently targeted the elderly, taking advantage of their kind and vulnerable nature. One gentleman even went as far as inviting Stoica into his home to wait whilst he found some change for him. Whilst we would never suggest that members of the public put themselves in harm’s way, I want to say a massive thank you to the people who intervened in Ruddington on Tuesday and assisted in detaining the suspect until officers arrived.”
