Two members of an organised criminal network, Armet Asprilla Cortes, 55, and Willmer Guzman, 62, have been jailed for a series of distraction thefts targeting vulnerable bank customers.
Police launched an operation after identifying 14 offences between August 2024 and April 2025 involving conspiracies to commit theft across Sunderland, Hexham, Whitley Bay, Gosforth, Lemington, and Newcastle city centre.
The pair followed victims from banks after they withdrew large sums of money. Using distraction tactics, they stole cash directly from the victims. In one incident, the criminals overheard a woman request to withdraw £10,000 at a bank, followed her home by bus, and faked a fall causing injury. While the victim was distracted assisting, the offenders entered her home and stole a bag of cash.
Both Colombian nationals were arrested in July, charged with conspiracy to commit theft, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court on September 22, and were sentenced on September 24 to three years and eight months in prison.
