Russian nationals given suspended sentence for subway pickpocketing

Three Russian nationals were given suspended sentences for pickpocketing subway riders in Seoul last November.

A police officer reenacts the three Russian nationals' pickpockets' method on Nov. 22, 2023, after apprehending the members. [YONHAP]

Three Russian nationals were given suspended sentences for pickpocketing subway riders in Seoul last November.

Seoul Central District Court handed the trio one-year prison sentences, suspended for two years, according to legal sources on Sunday. The group, comprising two men and a woman, entered Korea on a tourist visa on Nov. 1, 2023.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted the three individuals in December of last year.

The group plotted their crime before entering Korea, with each individual assigned a role, prosecutors said.

They planned to flee to Russia within 15 days of completing their crime spree.

The group mainly targeted female subway riders with open handbags during rush hour.

They approached them in a coordinated manner.

One blocked the rider's way, while another created a distraction in the surrounding crowd. The third person removed the wallet from the bag.

The three stole 2 million won ($ 1,486), including cash and gift cards, from two women using this method, according to authorities.

The police apprehended the individuals on Nov. 13 last year in a stakeout after they received a theft report.

The members initially testified that they visited Korea for tourism and shopping.

However, investigative authorities grew suspicious as the three collectively spent 45 hours riding the subway over nine days since their arrival.

The court said it considered the pickpockets' confession and their settlement agreement with the victims during sentencing.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]