Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
Four men convicted of orchestrating multiple burglaries across the UK received prison sentences after being caught using Rightmove and Google to coordinate their crimes. The gang, hailing from the West Midlands and Sheffield, admitted to stealing over £1 million in luxury items, such as designer watches and handbags, and even set specific weekly goals for gold theft.
Guilty Pleas and Sentencing
Kristian Gropcaj, George Pepa, and Krisjian Dedndreaj all pleaded guilty to the burglaries at Chester Crown Court. Their sentences ranged from nine years to 10 years and nine months. Endrit Nikolli, the fifth member, was set for a later sentencing. Jade Tubb, Nikolli’s partner, also confessed to conspiring to hold criminal property and received a 12-month suspended sentence, accompanied by 200 hours of community service.
“You have taken something from them that cannot be replaced,” stated Judge Patrick Thompson. “You have taken their sense of security in their own homes and left them feeling vulnerable and uneasy.”
The group targeted affluent households, using Google to find postcode areas with high wealth indicators. They then explored Rightmove to analyze property layouts, enabling them to devise entry strategies. Once inside, they ransacked homes, removing money, jewelry, and other valuables, and used bed sheets as temporary bags to carry stolen goods. In one incident, they were filmed extracting an entire safe from a residence.
Investigation Breakthroughs
Staffordshire Police’s discovery of DNA evidence from a burglary marked a key turning point. A distinctive shoeprint, found at multiple crime scenes, further linked the suspects. Though the trainers were mass-produced, the unique sole provided critical identification. The gang’s methods included breaching homes from the upper floor, often via a ladder, to bypass downstairs alarm systems.
The group’s activities spanned eight counties, including Cheshire, Middlesbrough, Derbyshire, and others. Cheshire Police noted that raids uncovered the gang’s organized structure, with all members actively involved in executing break-ins. Tubb, meanwhile, was responsible for managing the proceeds of their crimes.
“The gang specifically targeted wealthy victims, with the aim of stealing as much high value property as possible,” said Det Sgt Laura Fox. “Nikolli, Gropcaj, Dedndreaj, Pepa and Lleshi were all responsible for conducting the burglaries, while Tubb was happy to spend their ill-gotten gains.”
During the raids, officers seized 13 designer handbags and 14 watches valued at nearly £17,000. The group, originally from Albania, demonstrated a level of coordination and planning that highlighted their role as a high-level organized crime network. The cases underscore the innovative tactics criminals now employ to evade detection.
