Three Women Jailed for Robbery of 97-Year-Old Woman

Three Women Jailed for Robbery of 97-Year-Old Woman

Robbery of Elderly Woman

On 10 January 2026, a 97-year-old woman was waiting for her husband to pick her up along Dale Street, Manchester. She rested on her walking aid when Mazarache and Schian approached her. They began to hold the elderly woman’s hand and hugged and kissed her. During this time, the two women stole a jade antique bracelet off the elderly woman’s hand.

Series of Robberies in Manchester

The court heard how the trio worked together to distract, charm and steal from lone women in the community. On one occasion, on 9 October 2025 at around 12.35pm, Mazarache approached a mum walking her son to nursery school along Meldon Road, Rusholme. Mazarache began to compliment the woman and her young child and reached for her hand. Mazarache was pulling on the woman’s ring causing her pain and the woman pulled her hand away. Mazarache also attempted to snatch the woman’s mobile phone as she screamed for help and Mazarache walked away.

Targeting Vulnerable Individuals

On another occasion, on Thursday 27 November 2025 at around 1pm, a woman was walking home along Oxford Road when she was approached by Mazarache and Schian. They began to grab her and hug her and asked her to buy them food or give them money. Mazarache and Schian took the woman under an archway and one of them put their hand up her sleeve and pulled her gold bracelet off her wrist. The pair ran off in separate directions.

Community Impact and Police Response

On a third occasion at around 1.50pm on Saturday 10 January 2026, a woman was stood on Oxford Street waiting for her daughter when Mazarache, Schian and Dumitru approached her. Two of them began to talk to her while the third remained close by on look-out. One of the women hugged the woman and attempted to take the ring off her finger and she shouted for help. Mazarache, Schian and Dumitru made off.

Arrest and Sentencing

On 14/01/2026 Schian, Mazarache and Dumitru were arrested on suspicion of theft and robbery related offences. All three women were sentenced to over six years combined in prison at Manchester Crown Court. Geta Schian (16/07/1992) of Calbourne Avenue, east London was sentenced to 28 months in prison for attempt theft from the person of another. Sefora Mazarache (08/09/1998) of Jessop Street, Manchester was sentenced to 38 months in prison for attempt robbery. Geneza Dumitru (15/09/1990) Dukinfield Road, Manchester was sentenced to 28 months in prison for robbery.

Public Safety and Community Awareness

PC Dombai from The Neighbourhood Crime Team at Longsight said: “We take reports like these very seriously. Our local police teams are committed to tackling crime and keeping the people of our communities safe. We hope this sentence sends a message that robbery will not be tolerated. We will pursue offenders and bring them to justice. If you see anything like this, please do report it to the police and we will pursue it with the greatest importance.”

Source and Verification

The information in this report is sourced from the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) news release, which can be accessed at https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2026/july/three-women-jailed-for-string-of-thefts-including-robbery-of-97-year-old-woman/. The details provided are based on the official statements and court records released by the police force.