A SERIAL PHONE thief was caught after a £3,500 10-day stealing spree.

On top of a 12 month prison sentence, George William O’Hare has been banned from carrying more than one mobile phone for five years because of his actions in February.

The tough penalties were handed down in London this week after he pleaded guilty to five theft offences.

The court heard how during his 10-day crime spree, carried out in Fulham during February, he snatched phones from a number of unsuspecting victims.

There was also CCTV footage clearly showing O’Hare at work.

He stayed with a friend at a flat in the area, where he was seen leaving on a bicycle before noon on 16 February.

A 35-year-old woman was using her phone while walking along Holmead Road when she saw a cyclist go by. A few moments later, the same cyclist approached her from behind, snatched the phone and sped off.

A few days later at about the same time, a 28-year-old woman was walking near Chelsea’s football stadium when O’Hare struck, taking the phone she was using from her hand.

The next victim, a 28-year-old man, had stopped on the street to send a text message when O’Hare appeared. The man tried to chase him but he sped off on his bike once again.

On 24 February at about 7.15pm, a 24-year-old doctor was walking along Fulham Road holding his phone, when again O’Hare rode up from behind and snatched it.

The last offence happened on 26 February at 5pm again close to Chelsea Football Club. A 36-year-old man was using his phone to check for train times. O’Hare cycled up behind the victim, snatched his phone and pedalled off.

Because of the similarity of the five offences, detectives started to study CCTV footage and link them together.

O’Hare can easily be seen in the videos circling the area before selecting his victims.

“When he identified a possible target he would follow them, looking for the opportunity to strike,” police said. “The crimes were committed in moments, leaving the victims with little chance to react.”

Detectives were able to link enough CCTV to track O’Hare back to the flats he was using as a base for his crimes. The images were clear enough for police to identify O’Hare who was arrested on 16 March.

A victim then picked him out during an identity parade.

During the course of the 10 days, O’Hare stole £3,500 worth of property – none of which  has been recovered.

“The work to bring O’Hare to justice was painstaking,” said PC Marc Kibbey. “During the course of this investigation I reviewed hours of CCTV and would watch as O’Hare circled, selected and then hunted his victims. This man was a criminal predator and the CCTV images show the calculated nature of his crimes.

“This case also shows how quickly someone can become the victim of crime. I would ask those who are using their phone not to become distracted, you will always be safer if you remain aware of your surroundings.”

Mobile phone theft continues to be a problem in Ireland with gardaí recently issuing warnings about using them in public.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie recently, Sergeant Alan Roughneen, of the National Crime Prevention Unit, said a quarter of mobile phones are stolen between midnight and 4am, while a third of thefts from people involve a ‘snatch and grab’ in public.

The timing of thefts is interesting – half of all thefts from people, robbery from people and assaults happen between Friday and Sunday.

He also advised members of the public to avoid making mobile phone calls on the street.

Sergeant Roughnee advised that if you have to make a call in public, always do so with your back up against a wall or a shop window. This is so that you can see around you and be less vulnerable to being attacked.

“We want people to enjoy themselves when out, and taking a few easy steps can greatly reduce the chances of their day or night being ruined,” said Sgt Roughneen.

With reporting by Aoife Barry 

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