Romanian Gang Jailed for £700K Burglary Spree After Tunneling Attempt
Three men received a combined 10-year sentence for a series of thefts targeting London jewelers, with their latest attempt foiled by police.
Three members of a Romanian gang, linked to a burglary spree valued at over £700,000, have been sentenced to a total of 10 years and two months in prison. The men, Ioan Asafeti, 39, Laurentiu-Daniel Nitisoara, 38, and Sergiu Plastin, 42, were caught attempting to tunnel into a jewelry shop in Tooting, South London, in July, two months after they had gained access to the same establishment.
Police body-worn footage captured officers discovering a hole in a wall within what appeared to be a shower room adjacent to the Selvaraja Gold House jewelry shop. Tools and equipment used for digging were found at the scene. An officer in the footage noted that the thieves had attempted to breach the wall into the jewelry store but had not succeeded. Nitisoara was apprehended in a nearby alleyway, surrendering to police with his hands raised. Asafeti was found by officers hiding on a rooftop and subsequently arrested.
Plastin was arrested on July 17 at Stansted Airport as he attempted to flee to Ireland. The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad identified a car associated with the group and used mobile phone data to track down Plastin.
Authorities believe the three men entered the UK shortly before commencing their crime spree, which ran from May to July. The group primarily targeted jewelry shops, employing a tactic of tunneling into premises overnight to circumvent security systems. CCTV footage showed members of the gang acquiring the necessary tools for these operations.
Investigations, including inquiries through Interpol, suggest the group may have been involved in similar offenses across Europe. Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee stated that the sentencing sends a message to those who target London businesses, emphasizing that they will be caught and face justice. He added that this investigation, part of a wider Flying Squad operation, uncovered an organized crime group responsible for numerous jewelry shop break-ins across London totaling more than £700,000. Commercial burglaries in the capital have decreased by 11% in the past year.
In August, at Kingston Crown Court, all three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal and cause criminal damage. They received their sentences at the same court on Friday. Asafeti, with no fixed address, was sentenced to four years and 10 months. Plastin, from Portadown, County Armagh, received three years and four months. Nitisoara, also of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years.