Men arrested in Grantham in connection with bank card thefts

A pair of suspects who appeared in court over stolen bank card charges were found and arrested in Grantham.

They are alleged to have stolen bank cards from three people by using distraction methods.

Nottinghamshire Police were first called to Compton Acres, in West Bridgford, at around 12.15pm on Friday after a victim aged in his 80s reported having his card stolen.

He was using a cashpoint when a man approached him and used a distraction technique to take the card.

The card was later used to make a number of transactions at a Co-op store.

A second theft was reported in Tudor Square, in West Bridgford, at around 12.40pm the same day, when another victim had his card stolen as he used a cashpoint.

The victim’s bank revealed the card was used a short time later to place bets at a nearby bookmaker.

A third victim was targeted at around 1.35pm at a bank in Carlton Hill, when he also reported having his card stolen by distraction thieves as he used a cashpoint.

A nearby bookmaker reported this card being used by offenders who went into the shop and attempted to place a bet.

Investigating officers from Nottinghamshire Police worked closely with colleagues in Lincolnshire to trace a car and they arrested two suspects in Grantham at around 4.30pm the same day.

Detective Constable Tony Tonks, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a good example of how we work closely with other forces in order to trace and arrest suspects.

“Distraction thefts can be extremely upsetting for victims and we always work hard to investigate them. I am pleased we have placed these two suspects before the courts so quickly.

“We still want to hear from anyone with information about these three incidents. Please call police on 101 if you can help.”

Musa Husein, 31, of Tower Garden Road, Tottenham, London, and 34-year-old Osman Sheikh, of no fixed abode, were charged with three thefts and two counts of fraud by false representation.

They appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday and were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on July 31.