Three men have been arrested and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary after being caught attempting to tunnel into a jewelry shop in south London. The incident on Friday, July 17, at approximately 3:12 a.m. in Tooting, ended a spree of burglaries investigators believe netted the group over £700,000.
Police discovered the thieves attempting to breach the shop by digging a tunnel from a neighboring massage parlor. Tools used for the excavation were found within the adjacent establishment. The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad led the investigation, which linked the suspects to multiple jewelry store break-ins across London between May and July. The gang primarily targeted jewelry businesses, using their tunneling method to bypass security systems during overnight hours.
During the operation, officers apprehended Laurentiu-Daniel Nitisoara, 38, in a nearby alleyway. A second suspect, Ioan Asafeti, 39, was located on a rooftop. The third member, Sergiu Plastin, 42, was arrested later that day at Stansted Airport as he attempted to flee the country. His apprehension followed the discovery of a vehicle linked to the group and the analysis of mobile phone data.
All three men entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal and cause criminal damage at Kingston Crown Court. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell of the Metropolitan Police stated that the arrests not only thwarted the immediate burglary attempt but also led to the dismantling of an organized crime group responsible for numerous high-value jewelry store break-ins.
Mitchell added that commercial burglaries in the capital have decreased by 12 percent over the past year. He conveyed a clear message to potential offenders: "target London businesses and we'll hunt you down and put you before the courts." The Metropolitan Police also reported that further inquiries have uncovered potential links between the group and similar offenses committed in Europe.
The trio is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23 at Kingston Crown Court. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson reiterated the force's commitment to combating burglary and ensuring the safety of London residents, noting a 12.1 percent decrease in commercial burglaries in the 12 months ending in July, compared to the previous year. The force has also increased visible patrols and frontline officers in identified high-risk areas to deter and apprehend criminals.