Police in the Czech capital have apprehended a 36-year-old foreign national accused of running a calculated pickpocketing operation across two major cities. The man is believed to be responsible for more than a dozen thefts, specifically preying on the elderly in crowded transport hubs.
According to the Prague Police, the suspect employed a precise method. He targeted seniors in the Prague Metro, waiting for a moment of distraction before crowding them physically. Once inside their personal space, he removed wallets, cash, and payment cards from backpacks or open handbags.
While the suspect operated primarily in Prague, investigators linked him to a string of similar incidents in the pedestrian underpasses of Brno’s main railway station.
The immediate financial loss to victims exceeded 100,000 crowns. However, authorities noted the damage could have been far worse. The suspect made repeated attempts to withdraw cash from the stolen cards, which would have resulted in an additional loss of 200,000 crowns had the transactions been successful.
The case was resolved through expedited criminal proceedings. The man received a suspended prison sentence and has been ordered to pay full restitution to the victims. He has also been deported and is banned from re-entering the country for five years.
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