London’s Most Notorious Phone Thief Jailed for Two Years After Stealing 24 Phones in a Single Morning

 Sonny Stringer, 28, known as ‘London’s most notorious phone thief,’ has been sentenced to two years in prison following a dramatic morning in which he stole 24 phones.

Riding an electric scooter, Stringer managed to snatch the devices from unsuspecting bystanders while speeding through the capital at up to 50 mph.

The crime spree began at 10:15 am when Stringer targeted a woman near Baker Street Underground station who was using her phone for directions. Just 15 minutes later, he struck again near Marble Arch, and by mid-morning, another victim lost her iPhone 15 at Blackfriars Bridge.

The Metropolitan Police were swiftly alerted as reports of the thefts came flooding in. Using London’s extensive network of surveillance cameras, officers tracked Stringer’s movements and coordinated a response to capture him. The pursuit was intense, with Stringer and an accomplice narrowly avoiding a collision with a pedestrian as they evaded arrest.

Stringer’s apprehension came when officers made contact with the wheel of his scooter, causing him to fall and attempt to flee on foot. He was quickly arrested, and a search of his bag revealed 22 phones, with two having been dropped during the chase.

The haul of stolen phones recovered after Stringer’s arrest (Picture: City of London Police)

The haul of stolen phones recovered after Stringer’s arrest (Picture: City of London Police)

PC Jordon Smith, who played a crucial role in Stringer’s capture, described the incident: “When my partner and I first saw Stringer, he was about to mount the pavement where a mother with a young child and pram was walking. The scooters can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, and hitting them could have caused severe injury or death. I immediately decided to intervene, knowing it was the right course of action.”

Cops monitored Stringer’s movements as he made throughout central London (Picture: City of London Police)

At Isleworth Crown Court, Stringer was sentenced to 20 months in prison for each theft charge, to run concurrently, and an additional four months for dangerous driving. Chief Superintendent William Duffy commented on the case: “Phone snatching has a profound impact on victims, and it is appropriate that Stringer received a custodial sentence. We urge the public to stay aware of their surroundings and limit phone usage in public to minimize the risk of theft.”

Stringer was jailed for 24 months (Picture: City of London Police)

Control officer Lynn Newins added, “Our ability to manage camera positions was crucial in tracking Stringer’s movements. I remember saying they were ‘going like the clappers’ as we saw the public having to avoid them. Losing a phone can be devastating, as many people’s lives are closely connected to their devices. This is not a minor crime for them.”

Sola Adeniji

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