Man arrested and jailed the same day he pickpocketed from 79 year-old man

A man has been jailed after pickpocketing a 79 year-old man on Hopkinstown Road, Pontypridd.

Liam Jonathan, 33 from Glyncoch, decided to take advantage of a 79 year-old man walking along the road on Tuesday July 5 2022.

Jonathan pushed the elderly man from behind and slipped his hand into the man’s pockets, swiping his cards and mobile phone, leaving the elderly man upset and shocked.

Thankfully, a member of the public saw what had happened from her car and stopped to help and phone the police.

Within three hours of the call coming in, Jonathan had been identified, located and arrested for robbery.

The stolen property was returned to the man later on that day.

Jonathan appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday 11 August, where he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Detective Constable Adam Carra said:

“This is a prime example of different departments working together as a team to identify and apprehend a violent individual.

“I completely welcome this custodial sentence and pickpockets should see this as a warning.

“I’d like to pass on a thank you to the member of the public who made sure the man got home safe and rang the police on his behalf, giving an excellent description of Jonathan and where he made off to, and also to Pontypridd Response and Neighbourhood teams for their swift and effective handling of the investigation.

“If anyone sees suspicious activity, please either call police immediately, or alert a member of shop staff or security.”