Burglars who used Rightmove to plan raids jailed

Albanian Burglars Convicted After Using Rightmove for Crime Planning

A group of four individuals, hailing from the West Midlands and Sheffield, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from nine years to 10 years and nine months after admitting guilt in a series of burglaries across the UK. The group, connected to 44 thefts, targeted affluent residences and even established weekly goals for the amount of gold they aimed to steal. Among the convicted are Kristian Gropcaj, George Pepa, and Krisjian Dedndreaj, all aged 31 and 29 respectively, alongside Sidorjan Lleshi, 27, from Sheffield. Endrit Nikolli, 27, will receive his sentence in a separate proceeding.

According to court records, the suspects leveraged Google to identify high-value postal codes and then used Rightmove to study property layouts. This method allowed them to plan entry points and anticipate the location of valuables. Their strategy involved infiltrating homes through the first floor, often via ladders, to evade alarm systems that typically only covered ground-level areas. The homes were systematically searched, with stolen items packed into improvised bags made from torn bed sheets.

CCTV footage captured the gang in action, showcasing their method of extracting an entire safe from a property. The crimes spanned multiple regions, including Cheshire (eight incidents), Derbyshire (nine), Nottinghamshire (five), and others in Middlesbrough, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Hereford, and Shropshire. The precise locations highlight their widespread operations across the UK.

Cheshire Police detailed how the criminals coordinated their attacks, using digital tools to optimize their targets. This case underscores the evolving tactics of burglary, blending technology with traditional methods to maximize gains. For further coverage, visit the BBC website, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer, and follow BBC North West on X. Story ideas can also be shared via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2230.