Pickpocket Train Family Jailed

A family of pickpockets who preyed on sleeping train passengers and stole property worth more than £60,000 have been jailed.

Brothers Romulus Rostas, 18, Marin Rostas, 25, Romulus Govinder Rostas, 17, and Robert Rostas, 23, operated on late night trains between Charing Cross, London, and Gravesend in Kent, stealing from passengers who were either distracted or vulnerable because they were asleep, British Transport Police said.

The men were arrested and police searches at two Gravesend addresses uncovered mobile phones, sim cards and other items linking the family to thefts, he added.

Robert was today jailed for 30 months at Blackfriars Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal during a trial in February.

Romulus was jailed for 18 months, while Martin was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for the same offence.

Their cousin, Cornell Rostas, 22, was jailed for three years and three months, and Romulus Govinder was sentenced to a 12-month detention and training order. Both men had pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to steal.

BTP launched Operation Weevil to investigate more than 180 thefts from passengers on trains between London and Kent between January 2009 and August 2011.

Detective Constable Tim Weekes, one of the investigating officers, said the men were career criminals with most having been arrested, charged or convicted previously for theft-related matters.

BTP officers believe the proceeds of the group's crimes were sent back to Romania.

Detective Sergeant Paddy Kerr, who oversaw the investigation, said: