Two cousins were arrested and jailed following a daring smash-and-grab robbery at a Vodafone store on Marlborough’s High Street, where they stole £20,000 worth of mobile phones.
The offenders, Becam Radu, aged 21, from Enfield, and his younger cousin Emanuel Radu, aged 19, from Edmonton, entered the shop on December 12, 2024, wearing balaclavas and threatening staff with violence.
Their escape was quickly cut short. Unknown to the pair, some of the stolen phones were dummy devices fitted with trackers. Wiltshire Police responded rapidly and arrested the cousins just 20 minutes after the emergency call, stopping them on the M4 at 4:20pm.
Becam and Emanuel Radu were both charged with robbery. In addition, Emanuel faced charges of dangerous driving during the getaway.
At Swindon Crown Court today, the cousins were sentenced to youth detention: Emanuel Radu received two years and 10 months in a young offender institution, while Becam Radu was sentenced to 28 months in a young offender institution.
A Vodafone staff member described the incident as “the scariest thing that has ever happened to me in my whole 22 years of life.” He added, “The impact has been huge from a psychological point of view and is not something I ever see going away. The behaviour of these two individuals is absolutely disgraceful.”
Detective Constable Michael Land of Wiltshire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department praised the quick-thinking staff and victims. He said, “Thankfully, no one was physically harmed during Becam and Emanuel Radu’s brazen thievery. I commend the shop workers whose quick thinking protected customers and helped us catch both criminals fast. This case shows Wiltshire is a hostile place for London-based crooks, and we’re tough on those threatening our communities.”
This case highlights how advanced tracking technology combined with rapid police response is helping to combat retail crime effectively.
Originally published by UKNIP.
