18 people arrested for pick-pocketing

The operating mode was identical for the hundreds of thefts observed in the Mulhouse metropolitan area. 18 people were arrested on Monday following the investigation into this case of pick-pocketing, led by the anti-burglary group (Gac) of the departmental security.

“A long-term investigation carried out in an exemplary manner by the security, with exceptional results”, rejoiced the prosecutor of the Republic of Mulhouse, Edwige Roux-Morizot. “It is an organized gang that was put on the ground. It was rampant in Mulhouse by multiplying pick-pocketing. The preliminary investigation began last year.”, Specifies the magistrate.

The victims were mostly elderly people. According to our colleagues from Alsace, the criminals had a multitude of possible scenarios – theft in handbags, predation system, jostling in the climbs and descents of buses allowing the thieves to stick the victims and steal them … – but always targeted the same profile of victims: elderly people.

“We were faced with perfectly organized teams, experienced in the practice of theft in meetings with groups of three: a supervisor, an“ entertainer ”and the thief. There were more than a hundred thefts, no doubt. 150 in the Mulhouse conurbation. ” says Commissioner Olivier Mezade, the head of security.

Forty police officers were mobilized, including all the security services. Eighteen people were in police custody for 96 hours. The searches led to the seizure of € 60,000 in cash, jewelry, hi-fi equipment. Only twelve people were ultimately presented to the judge. The only man was released but under judicial supervision and the eleven women aged 15 to 35 were indicted for theft in an organized group, concealment in an organized group and criminal conspiracy. They were placed in pre-trial detention.

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