01.07.2026 12:20
Elif Ş. (32), who had records for 157 separate theft crimes in Istanbul and a total of 127 years and 27 days of finalized prison sentence—postponed because she was pregnant with her 7th child but became a fugitive after failing to surrender despite the postponement expiring—was caught in a coordinated operation. It was learned that Elif Ş. is 3 months pregnant with her 8th child. Moments of Elif Ş. stealing in shopping malls were captured on security cameras, and she was referred to the courthouse after police proceedings.
Teams from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Public Order Branch Directorate, Wanted Persons Bureau Office, launched an operation to capture Elif Ş., who has 157 records for 'theft' and a total of 127 years and 27 days of finalized prison sentence. Police teams could not find any registered address for the suspect in the system. Investigations revealed that Elif Ş. was staying with relatives along with her children. Upon examining the relatives, it was determined that a 70-year-old relative had recently subscribed to high-speed internet at their home, leading teams to monitor the house. After confirming that Elif Ş. was staying there, an operation was carried out.
HER SENTENCE POSTPONED DUE TO 7 CHILDREN, FOUND TO BE PREGNANT WITH 8TH CHILD
In the operation, which also involved Special Operations police, Elif Ş. was captured during a raid on a house on Memurlar Street in Beyoğlu Keçecipiri Mahallesi and taken to the Public Order Branch Directorate in Gayrettepe. Upon examination, it was found that the suspect, who had previously been released due to pregnancies despite being caught because she had 7 children aged 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12, is now 3 months pregnant with her 8th child.
SHE WORE A BLACK VEIL TO AVOID CAPTURE
During the police investigation, footage from security cameras recording the suspect's thefts in shopping malls was obtained. It was learned that the suspect, who was determined to cover her face with a black veil during thefts, aimed to evade facial recognition systems using this method. It was found that Elif Ş. has 18 separate arrest records for 'theft of items secured within a building' and 'theft of items carried on person through special skill.' The suspect was referred to the courthouse after processing at the police station.