11 hours ago
Pickpocketing duo jailed for four weeks after being caught in the act
Two young women have been jailed for four weeks for pickpocketing in Oxford city centre.
Victoria Cizmic, 18 and Lejda Secic, 24, both admitted to taking a large sum of money from the victim's rucksack in Christ Church.
When the duo were reaching into the rucksack on August 8, they were caught in the act and swiftly detained.
Cizmic and Secic, both of no fixed abode, were arrested the same day and charged the following day.
They pleaded guilty to one count of theft in a hearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 11.
They have been jailed for four weeks.
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Police constable Riley Stokes said: 'Pickpocketing is a priority for our neighbourhood policing team, especially across Oxford city centre, and we hope this swift and robust conviction sends a clear message to anyone considering similar offences.'
To avoid being pickpocketed, Thames Valley Police say not to hang stuff on the back of a chair or leave anything on the back of a pushchair or place your belongings out of sight on the floor.
A spokesman said: "Remember, having a zipped bag doesn't mean you're totally safe.
"Thieves have been known to walk behind victims while slowly unzipping bags. Yes, they can be that bold. So, never underestimate a pickpocket."
He added: "You may have an idea of what a pickpocket looks like but they're far less likely to stand out in a crowd than you might think since blending in is part of how they avoid being caught."
