Moment 97-year-old is hugged and kissed by women in Manchester before their disgusting ruse became clear

They have now been jailed

06:01, 08 Jul 2026Updated 07:39, 08 Jul 2026

Three women jailed for string of thefts including robbery of 97-year-old woman

This is the moment an elderly woman was surrounded and kissed by thieves.

The vulnerable 97 year-old victim, who uses a walking aid, was targeted as she waited for her husband to pick her up on Dale Street in Manchester city centre on January 10 this year.

She was approached by prolific thieves Geta Schian, 33, and Sefora Mazarache, 27, who began to hold her hand, hug her and kiss her.

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However it was all a ruse to distract her as they stole a jade antique bracelet off her hand. They were captured on clear CCTV footage which formed part of the compelling case against them.

The women could be seen on CCTV distracting an elderly woman before robbing her(Image: GMP)

It followed a string of thefts and attempted thefts involving the women, and a third defendant, 35 year-old Geneza Dumitru, one of which happened less than two hours beforehand.

Sefora Mazarache(Image: GMP)

Police said they ‘worked together to distract, charm and steal from lone women in the community.’

At around 1.50pm, an hour and 50 minutes before Mazarache and Schian targetted the 97 year-old, the three women approached a woman stood on Oxford Road who was stood waiting for her daughter. Two of them spoke to her as the other stood watch close-by.

One of the would-be robbers hugged her as they attempted to take the ring off her finger. She shouted for help and the women left the scene.

During one incident on Meldon Road in Rusholme on October 9 last year, Mazarache approached a mum walking her son to nursery and began complimenting her and her child.

Geta Schian(Image: GMP)

At the same time she was pulling on the woman’s ring finger causing the woman to pull her hand away. She also tried to grab the woman’s mobile phone as her would-be victim screamed for help.

Whilst on another occasion on Thursday, November 27 last year, Mazarache and Schian approached a woman walking home along Oxford Road and began to grab and hug them, before asking her for food and money.

They then took the woman under an archway and one pulled the gold bracelet from her wrist, before running off in separate directions.

Geneza Dimitru(Image: GMP)

The trio were arrested on January 14 this year and appeared before Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday (July 6).

Geta Schian, of Calbourne Avenue, east London, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for attempt theft from the person of another.

Sefora Mazarache, of Jessop Street, Manchester, was sentenced to 38 months in prison for attempted robbery.

Geneza Dumitru, of Dukinfield Road, Manchester, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for robbery.

PC David Dombai, from GMP’S Neighbourhood Crime Team based at Longsight Police station, said: “We take reports like these very seriously. Our local police teams are committed to tackling crime and keeping the people of our communities safe.

“We hope this sentence sends a message that robbery will not be tolerated. We will pursue offenders and bring them to justice. If you see anything like this, please do report it to the police and we will pursue it with the greatest importance.”