Colombian pair jailed for bank distraction theft netting more than £63,000 across the North East, Merseyside and London

Two Colombian nationals who preyed on vulnerable bank customers and stole more than £63,000 have been jailed. Armet Cortes, 55, and Willmer Guzman, 63, both of no fixed address, admitted conspiracy to steal at Newcastle Crown Court and were sentenced to 44 months in prison. They also face automatic deportation after serving their custodial term.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the offences took place between August and April, with the gang pocketing more than £63,000 from 14 victims across the North East of England, as well as Merseyside and London. The largest single theft identified was £15,000. In Sunderland, a 71-year-old wife and her husband—who has since died—were surrounded by the suspects and £3,000 was taken from them after they were distracted. The couple were described as making their way to their car when the disruption occurred, with the victim husband using his walking stick in a failed attempt to push the men away. Prosecutor Jessica Slaughter said the distraction involved screaming in a foreign language and shouting, creating confusion while the cash was seized.

The court heard this was a coordinated, systematic campaign across seven months, involving 14 separate offences. The victims were targeted because of vulnerability—often single women, the elderly, or those who could be slowed by disability. The court was told the suspects used a “silent, skilled and subtle” system of signs and gestures to communicate once a target had been identified, enabling them to execute the thefts with a high degree of professionalism. The judge, Andrew Smith, noted that the defendants lurked in banking halls with the apparent purpose of monitoring customers who were discreetly withdrawing large sums of cash, waiting for the right moment to strike.

“These offences involve targeting of often and usually vulnerable victims,” Judge Smith said. “There were 14 individual offences identified as part of this conspiracy. These victims were single women, unlikely to fight back or challenge you. Some of the victims were also vulnerable as a result of their age.” He added that the gang’s method showed deliberate planning and sophistication, and that the “theme was to identify potential victims in banks and building societies, victims who were discreetly taking out large amounts of cash.” The judge described the defendants as using “silent, skilled and subtle signs and gestures” to communicate with one another, underscoring the level of organization involved.

The court heard Cortes and Guzman had no prior UK convictions and had entered the country legally. Each man claimed they had been recruited into the activity by separate, unknown individuals who approached them in the UK. The defendants have not provided evidence of any legitimate employment in the country and gave no accounts of drug trafficking or other offenses; their defence emphasized a lack of prior criminal history in the UK.

Following the sentencing, North East Regional Crime Unit Detective Constable Andy Thompson said: “This type of criminality has absolutely no place in the North East - it is an incredibly traumatic crime type for victims that leaves both a financial and psychological impact. Cortes and Guzman targeted vulnerable victims and used manipulative and sophisticated methods to carry out their crimes. We worked closely with Northumbria Police to identify and pursue those criminals responsible, who we brought before the Courts.”

NEROCU Detective Inspector Shaun Fordy added: “This sentencing is the latest success in our ongoing efforts to stamp out all forms of organised crime through Operation Sentinel in the North East - our united police response to Serious and Organised Crime. Community intelligence is vital to police investigations, and we would ask members of the public to continue reporting any suspicious activity in and around banks and if you have been a victim, report it to police as soon as possible.”

Authorities emphasize that the public should remain vigilant around bank premises and report any suspicious activity. Victims and witnesses are urged to come forward promptly to aid ongoing investigations and help prevent further criminal activity.