A thief was sentenced to more than two years in prison after being caught on film executing bizarre dance movements in an attempt to steal a £9,000 watch.
The following is disturbing CCTV footage of the burglar in action:
For the odd way he used to take the costly Rolex from a couple on the street, 24-year-old Abdelhadi Bahou-Jabour was dubbed ‘part Bruce Forsyth, half Artful Dodger.’
The offender is seen approaching and conversing with a couple in Birmingham city center on July 10 before doing a dance – grinding on the woman – and flicking out his leg to execute the ‘Ronaldinho’ distraction tactic.
He then took the woman’s watch from her wrist as quickly as he could and did the same thing on her boyfriend.
He tried the same technique on the woman’s companion a few seconds later, but it got caught on his shirt.
He ran off into the grounds of St Phillip’s Cathedral nearby once he’d acquired what he wanted and proceeded to play the game on another woman, this time approaching her singing ‘Three Lions.’
This was, of course, the day before England’s doomed Euro 2020 final versus Italy.
The woman resisted him, sensing something was wrong, and Bahou-Jabour wrenched her arm and took £4,700 in jewellery from her.
After extensively examining CCTV video, investigators were able to identify him and apprehend him on July 30 as he was roaming about the city center.
Last month, he was guilty of two robberies and an attempted robbery at Birmingham Crown Court, and on Wednesday, October 6th, he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
According to PC Mat Evans, from West Midlands Police, “This technique, where a criminal dance with their victim to distract them, has been referred to as the ‘Ronaldinho’ after the famous dancing footballer.”
“Normally pickpockets try to steal using stealth so you won’t even feel it.”
He added, “But this technique uses the opposite approach, using excessive contact to misdirect your attention away from the sensation of having your pockets emptied or, in this case, your watch was stolen.”
“This is not a skill you pick up overnight, it requires many hours of training and practice to perfect, and is very effective.”
“I’ve seen the ‘Ronaldinho’ technique used before, but this offender’s particular dance moves were the most bizarre I’ve ever seen. Part Bruce Forsyth, part Artful Dodger,” he continued.
“I would always advise people to be on their guard when on a night out, as professional pickpockets are just as active then as they are during the day.”
“The best protection you can have is to recognize the signs of how pickpockets do what they do, get away from them, and raise the alarm.”
[embedpost slug=”/a-wanted-guy-is-discovered-hiding-under-a-blanket-with-his-feet-protruding/”]
