Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
A group of four burglars, all connected to a well-organised crime network, were sentenced after admitting to orchestrating over 50 high-value break-ins across multiple regions of the UK. The gang, hailing from Albania, targeted affluent households, extracting millions in valuables such as designer watches, handbags, and gold. Their meticulous planning involved using Google to identify wealthy postcodes and Rightmove to study property layouts, allowing them to execute thefts with precision.
Among those convicted are Kristian Gropcaj, 31; George Pepa, 31; Krisjian Dedndreaj, 29; and Sidorjan Lleshi, 27. All hail from the West Midlands and Sheffield, and they each received prison terms ranging from nine years to ten years and nine months. Endrit Nikolli, 27, who is yet to be sentenced, was linked to the operation alongside his partner Jade Tubb, who admitted to conspiring to possess stolen goods and was given a 12-month suspended sentence with 200 hours of community service.
Methodology and Evidence
Their modus operandi involved entering homes through the first floor, often using ladders to bypass alarm systems that covered only lower levels. During raids, the gang ransacked properties, removing bedding as makeshift containers for stolen items. One video clip captured them extracting an entire safe from a residence, showcasing their efficiency.
“The gang were all members of a high-level organised crime group responsible for at least 59 high-value burglaries across the UK,” stated Det Sgt Laura Fox of Cheshire Police. “They specifically targeted wealthy victims, aiming to maximise the amount of luxury property they could steal. Nikolli, Gropcaj, Dedndreaj, Pepa and Lleshi conducted the burglaries, while Tubb was content to spend the proceeds of their illicit activities.”
The investigation gained momentum when Staffordshire Police uncovered DNA evidence from a burglary, and a distinctive shoeprint matched multiple crime scenes. Though the trainers were commonly sold at Primark, the unique sole provided a critical link between the suspects and the crimes. Police conducted a series of raids, seizing 13 designer handbags and 14 watches worth nearly £17,000.
Locations of the Offenses
Burglaries were reported in eight locations in Cheshire, two in Middlesbrough, nine in Derbyshire, two in Leicestershire, five in Nottinghamshire, seven in Staffordshire, two in Warwickshire, three in Birmingham, three in Worcestershire, two in Hereford, and one in Shropshire. The use of online tools highlighted how technology aided their criminal operations.
