Bilal Arbaoui jailed for stealing £175,000 suitcase outside St Pancras Station

A thief who stole a suitcase containing £175,000 worth of designer items from a woman outside St Pancras Station has been jailed for 22 months. Bilal Arbaoui, 32, of Neasden Lane, North West London, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to theft.

The victim had arrived in London on the Eurostar from Paris on 11 April. While waiting for a taxi outside the station, Arbaoui approached her, claiming her trousers were dirty and offering a tissue. As she wiped her clothes, he grabbed her gold suitcase and fled.

Distraction theft captured on CCTV

British Transport Police released CCTV footage showing Arbaoui walking swiftly away from the station entrance, glancing over his shoulder. Another clip shows him crossing a busy road with the suitcase in tow. The victim reported the theft immediately to an officer at the station.

Police used the footage to track down and arrest Arbaoui. Sergeant James Kingsberry, of British Transport Police, said the theft was "devious and pre-planned" and caused the victim "great distress". He added that the force relies on extensive CCTV coverage to prevent and solve crimes on the rail network.

The suitcase contained designer bags, watches and jewellery. Arbaoui was also ordered to pay a £187 surcharge as part of his sentence. No information was provided on whether the stolen items were recovered.

What happens next

Arbaoui will serve his 22-month sentence in prison. The £187 surcharge is a mandatory payment imposed on offenders to fund victim services. It is unclear whether the victim’s belongings have been returned or if further action will be taken to recover them.