Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed
A group of four individuals, linked to a series of high-value burglaries across the UK, have received prison sentences after admitting to targeting wealthy homes. The gang, which included Kristian Gropcaj, George Pepa, Krisjian Dedndreaj, and Sidorjan Lleshi, used online platforms such as Rightmove and Google to gather information on potential victims. Their crimes involved stealing over £1 million in luxury items, including designer watches, handbags, and gold, with some members setting weekly goals for their haul.
Convictions and Sentences
At Chester Crown Court, the men from the West Midlands and Sheffield pleaded guilty to the charges. Three received sentences ranging from nine to ten years and nine months, while Endrit Nikolli’s sentencing was deferred. His partner, Jade Tubb of Walsall, admitted to conspiring to possess stolen goods and was given a 12-month suspended sentence, along with 200 hours of community service.
“The gang had been stealing with no mercy, leaving their victims in a state of constant fear.”
Method of Operation
The burglars began by using Google to identify affluent postcodes, then scoured Rightmove for detailed floorplans of properties. This allowed them to plan entry routes and target specific areas. They often accessed homes via the first floor, using ladders to bypass downstairs alarm systems. Inside, they ransacked rooms, tore bedsheets into makeshift bags, and systematically removed valuables. One CCTV clip showed them extracting an entire safe from a residence.
Investigation Breakthrough
The case took a significant turn when Staffordshire Police uncovered DNA evidence from a burglary, linking the suspects to multiple crimes. A shoeprint, found at several locations, proved critical—despite the trainers being mass-produced, the unique pattern on the sole helped identify the perpetrators. The raids led to the seizure of 13 designer handbags and 14 watches, valued at nearly £17,000.
Organized Crime Network
Det Sgt Laura Fox of Cheshire Police described the group as a “high-level organized crime gang responsible for at least 59 burglaries.” The gang specifically focused on wealthy targets to maximize their loot. Nikolli, Gropcaj, Dedndreaj, Pepa, and Lleshi executed the break-ins, while Tubb managed the proceeds without directly participating in the thefts.
The locations of the crimes spanned eight areas in Cheshire, two in Middlesbrough, nine in Derbyshire, and others in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Hereford, and Shropshire. The systematic approach and use of technology to plan their attacks highlighted the sophistication of their operation.
Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer, and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via WhatsApp to 0808 100 2230.
