Pair jailed after stealing pensioner's purse (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Sabrina Hamidovic and Milena Trajkundic jailed after stealing pensioner's purse

4:15pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

Two women have been sent to jail for stealing a purse from a pensioner in St Albans.

Sabrina Hamidovic, 25, of Brinworth Road in Ilford and 21-year-old Milena Trajkundic from Luton were each sentenced to four months imprisonment after stealing a purse from a woman in her 80s in St Peters Street on Monday, February 18.

The pair pleaded guilty to stealing the purse containing cash and credit cards that had been left unattended.

They then found her pin on a letter in her bag and withdrew cash.

They were sentenced at Hatfield Remand Court the following day.

Neighbourhood sergeant Karen Lewis said: "The women had been training for years to commit these offences, so they were very skilled in targeting vulnerable, elderly women and taking their purses quickly without being detected.

"But we were one step ahead of them and my officers caught them red-handed.

"I’m pleased these women are off the streets and not able to target, distract and prey on shoppers in the city centre."

The women were two of 35 people who have been arrested as part of a targeted operation by Hertfordshire Constabulary to combat purse dipping.

Four more suspects, a 16-year-old girl, a 41-year-old woman and two men aged 18 and 21, are currently on bail after being arrested for theft.