Primark pickpocket who targeted more than a dozen shoppers in 45 minutes is jailed

A woman who tried to pickpocket from 13 shoppers in Primark has been jailed. Melania Urmuz was caught after an eagle-eyed customer spotted her attempting to steal from a visitors to the flagship store last Saturday (June 17).

When officers reviewed the store CCTV, they were stunned to find that in the 45 minutes Urmuz tried to steal from 13 different shoppers’ bags. Despite almost being caught in the act multiple times, she casually walked off to a different part of the vast High Street shop to target another unsuspecting victim.

The 51-year-old was charged with 13 counts of attempted theft and was remanded to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Monday (19 June). Urmuz, of no fixed address, was convicted and sentenced to nine months and a half in jail.

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Investigating officer PC Mat Evans, said: “Urmuz was clearly a professional pickpocket and she’s rightly faced a swift investigation and conviction. I would urge members of the public to be aware of who is around them when they are out shopping and to keep their valuables close at all times.

“If you see a crime in progress please raise the alarm and help get these criminals off our streets.”