This is like an aggro take on pickpocketing. Instead of just stealing, they steal with a coordinated “stall” (distraction) attack. That folding the pilfered phone into the newspaper is straight out of “Harry in Your Pocket”.
It’s rather schizophrenic. You’re brazenly committing robbery, yet you nevertheless wish the victim to be momentarily unsure of the actual attacker.
And it depends on, and benefits from, the site of the crime being in a crowded urban situation. The fact that its broad daylight and there are multiple potential witnesses and there is the illusion of safety is a net-plus for the attackers.
Pretty diabolically brilliant.
