Pickpocket queen locked up

Pickpocket queen locked up

NGANJUK, East Java: After eluding the police for 12 years, a 40-year-old female pickpocket known as the Pickpocket Queen was finally arrested in her home in Kedungombo village, Warujayeng district in the East Java town of Nganjuk.

Surati, who was arrested by the Nganjuk Police while counting the day's payoff, confessed she had been in the business for 12 years, operating in the city's markets and using razor blades to rip her victims' bags open.

"We operate in different markets, but we operate regularly in Warujayeng, Wage and Berbek markets," she said. "All of our work goes smoothly because we do it when our victims are totally unaware," she said.

The best days were usually on market days or ahead of the Idul Fitri celebration. "We use the money for our daily needs," said the widow with four children.

She was arrested following a tipoff from traders. The police confiscated 160 wallets along with the victims' IDs from her house. -- Antara