Wanted: police reveal face of serial Tube pickpocket

Police today issued a photograph of Margarita Gonzalez, 61, who is wanted after skipping bail for pickpocketing offences.

Her accomplice Eduardo Balladarres, 61, is starting his prison sentence this week after he pleaded guilty at Southwark crown court to conspiracy to steal from passengers at five stations in October last year.

The pair targeted commuters and tourists on mainly Circle line trains and were caught on CCTV stealing from victims at Baker Street, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Sloane Square and Victoria stations.

A court heard how the pair boarded crowded trains and Gonzalez would push victims while Balladarres would steal purses or wallets from people's coats or bags.

The pair, both Chilean nationals of no fixed address, were caught several times on CCTV attempting to use the stolen cards at cashpoints after leaving the Tube.

On one occasion in October, Balladarres stole a purse from a passenger on a Circle line train between Paddington and Sloane Square.

He left the station and tried to withdraw cash but when he failed he got back on another train and promptly stole a wallet from another passenger.

Detective Constable John Swaysland, of British Transport Police, said investigators were able to place Balladarres at each crime scene after analysing CCTV footage, linking him to six separate thefts.

He said Balladarres was first jailed in November last year for offences committed in the summer. "When he began his first prison term we looked at a number of other cases of theft where the suspect description matched his," he said. "We contacted victims, one as far afield as the United States, and put together a compelling CCTV dossier, placing him at the scene of each crime and leading to him admitting stealing from a further six Tube passengers."

DC Swaysland issued advice to Tube travellers to avoid being a victim:

* Ensure valuables are not visible.
* Carry your rucksacks and handbags in front of you.
* Ensure handbags are fastened.
* Be aware of your bag when boarding a train or going through the ticket barrier as thieves will take the opportunity when you are distracted.
* Do not keep phones and wallets in outer pockets of bags where they are easily accessible.
Balladarres is believed to have been sending significant sums of money back to Chile where he is said to own a large house.

Pickpocketing teams from South America regularly travel to London, particularly for the "summer season". There were 7,471 pickpocketing offences on the Underground in the last financial year 2007/08.

DC Swaysland said: "Our plain-clothes theft squads frequently patrol the Tube. I hope that the sentence handed down to Balladarres sends a clear message to would-be thieves that we are out there arresting those who think they can help themselves to other people's property."