Good Samaritans have been praised after they chased after a thief who stole two women’s bags retrieved their items.
A woman had finished her food shop and was packing her shopping into the boot of her car when a man grabbed her handbag from her wrist.
She was then pulled to the floor.
A member of the public witnessed the crime and chased after the thief following the incident in Gateford Road, Worksop, on 5 February 2021.
He managed to return her bag.
A day later, the force received a second report of a robbery in Potter Street, Worksop, with another woman approached from behind.
She was pushed with force and had her satchel pulled so hard that the strap snapped.
Once again, members of the public rallied together to help the woman when they heard her screaming and were able retrieve a handbag a few minutes later in a nearby garden.
Przemyslaw Langowski, 36, of no fixed address, was tracked down by officers after he was identified to live locally to both incidents.
CCTV footage and descriptions of the man matched Langowski’s appearance and he was arrested.
He appeared at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday (29 March 2022) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery.
He was handed a 23 month sentence, suspended for two years.
Detective Sergeant Ricky Ellis, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have to praise the brave actions in both incidents by members of the public, who spotted the women distressed and needing assistance.
“Without their help, they wouldn’t have got their bags back.
“In both street robberies, Langowski targeted lone women.
“These reported incidents, just a day apart, left the two women extremely shaken up and one had to attend hospital with a wrist injury.
“This is the effect robbery can have on victims and is exactly why our officers work so hard to investigate reports such as this.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to prevent these kind of incidents from happening and making sure offenders are brought to justice.”
