A prolific bag thief who preyed on after-work drinkers at pubs in the City of London has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
CCTV footage captures sneaky Sid Rebai pretending to chat on his mobile phone while using his right foot to drag bags along the ground and away from their distracted owners.
Plain-clothed officers spotted the notorious 36-year-old stalking customers at The Aldgate Tap.
Rebai is seen walking near two people deep in conversation as they talk over a pint.
Wearing a black cap, cream hoodie top and jeans he extends his leg and uses a foot to pull the rucksack towards him - before quickly picking it up and fleeing along Aldgate Square.
Police approached Rebai, arrested him for theft and returned the bag and its contents to the male victim before he knew it had been pinched.
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The Old Bailey heard he also targeted All Bar One in Byward Street, The Minories near Tower Hill, Brewdog on Great Tower Street and the Hoop and Grapes in Aldgate High Street.
Both male and female victims lost laptops, headphones, clothing, wallets, AirPods and sunglasses valued at £6,683.
Rebai, of Buckle Street, Tower Hamlets, pleaded guilty to six counts of theft.
He was also handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from entering the Square Mile for six years.
Inspector Dan Green, of the City of London Police’s proactive acquisitive crime team, said: “This is another great result in seeing a prolific bag thief behind bars and returning stolen items to victims.
“Our warning to criminals - don’t come into the City to steal bags.
“If you do, you risk being spotted by our plain-clothed officers, who will track you down, arrest you and bring you to justice.”
