A prolific thief who stole an estimated £20,000 worth of laptops, phones and bags from unsuspecting drinkers in London's upmarket City bars is facing a significant prison sentence.
A Summer of Brazen Thefts
Munir Ghilas, a 28-year-old Algerian migrant, pleaded guilty this month to 16 separate counts of theft and one count of assaulting an emergency worker. His crime spree targeted patrons in some of the capital's most popular pubs between 5 August and 25 September this year.
Police described Ghilas as a 'professional thief' who showed clear planning in his actions. CCTV footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows one typical incident, where Ghilas, wearing a white hoodie, weaved through a crowded bar in the financial district. He focused on a bag before leaning over a table, grabbing it, and slipping out unnoticed.
The Stolen Goods and Arrest Scuffle
Ghilas's haul was substantial and high-value. His admitted thefts include:
- A £2,700 laptop and other items from Matthew Bourn in All Bar One on Byward Street.
- Multiple Apple MacBooks, including one from Jacob Wyatt.
- Four laptops worth £3,750 from The Banker Public House on 15 August.
- Five laptops valued at £7,280 from three victims at the Lord Raglan pub in Holborn on 24 September.
- Another five laptops and a passport from The Oyster Shed Public House on Angel Lane the following day.
His spree ended on 25 September when police moved to arrest him. Another clip shows Ghilas attempting a last-minute escape, darting down a street and briefly breaking free from officers. He stumbled into a parked silver Mercedes before being wrestled to the tarmac, where a phone was snatched from his hand. He subsequently assaulted a female police officer during the arrest.
Facing Justice in Court
Appearing at Southwark Crown Court in a grey prison tracksuit and assisted by an interpreter, Ghilas heard the case against him. Prosecutor Ioan Davies stated the offending showed 'some degree of planning' and was part of a 'repeated' course of conduct over several months.
Defence barrister Daniel Darnbrough conceded that a custodial sentence was warranted, with only the length to be decided. Judge Alexander Milne KC remanded Ghilas in custody and set his sentencing date for 13 January.
Investigating officer Police Constable Pradip Gurung, of the City of London Police's Volume Crime Unit, said: 'Munir Ghilas is a professional thief, targeting the valuable property of victims who are out and about in City pubs and he showed no signs of stopping his criminal activities.' He added that the force remains committed to tackling such thefts through patrols, targeted operations, and its extensive camera network.
