Police have closed the case of a 36-year-old foreign national who systematically targeted seniors on public transport, stealing wallets and attempting to drain victims’ bank accounts.

According to detectives, his method rarely changed. He would press himself against seniors during peak hours, then quietly remove wallets from handbags or backpacks.

The crimes were not limited to Prague. Officers later linked the man to several thefts in Brno, where he worked busy underground passages near train stations. These areas, often filled with commuters and travellers, offered the same cover as crowded metro platforms in the capital.

Police estimate that the value of the stolen cash and belongings exceeded CZK 100,000. After taking the wallets, the thief also tried to use the victims’ payment cards to withdraw more money.

Police spokesperson Richard Grdina said that if all those attempts had gone through, the total losses could have risen by another CZK 200,000.

Forensic specialists eventually identified the suspect, leading to his arrest and a swift court process. The court found the man guilty of multiple thefts and handed down a suspended sentence. He avoided prison time on condition that he complies with court rules, but he must fully compensate the victims for their losses.

The ruling also included his deportation from the Czech Republic and a five-year ban on re-entering the country.

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