Oldham trio charged in phone-theft probe

THREE Oldhamers have been charged in connection with a spate of mobile phone thefts across the region.

Atila Varga (25) and Rita Rostas (27), both of Kimberley Street, Oldham, have been arrested, as has a youth who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

All have been charged with thefts in Greater Manchester and conspiracy to commit theft in Cheshire, Merseyside and Staffordshire. They are due to appear at Cheshire Crown Court on January 3.

Police in Greater Manchester and Cheshire identified a pattern of thefts of mobile phones across both counties. Inquiries led them to suspects whose details were circulated between forces.

Officers in Oldham and Tameside saw similar methods related to phone thefts in their areas and later two people were arrested and a number of phones recovered. A third person was arrested later.