Albanian Gang Jailed for 38+ Years After Using Rightmove to Plan UK Burglaries
A gang of Albanian men and a British woman have been sentenced to more than 38 years in prison for their roles in a series of high-value burglaries across the United Kingdom. The criminals utilised the online estate agent Rightmove to meticulously plan their raids, targeting affluent homes in multiple regions, including Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Birmingham, and Shropshire.
Extensive Crime Spree Across the UK
The gang's criminal activities spanned numerous counties, with a total of at least 59 burglaries reported. These included eight incidents in Cheshire, two in Middlesbrough, nine in Derbyshire, two in Leicestershire, five in Nottinghamshire, seven in Staffordshire, two in Warwickshire, three in Birmingham, three in Worcestershire, two in Hereford, and one in Shropshire. The estimated total value of stolen items exceeds £1 million, with jewellery, designer handbags, watches, and cash among the loot.
Key Defendants and Sentencing Details
The following individuals were sentenced at Chester Crown Court: Kristian Gropcaj, 30, of Gas Street, Birmingham; George Pepa, 31, of Crabtree Road, Walsall; Krisjian Dedndreaj, 28, of Crabtree Road, Walsall; Sidorjan Lleshi, 26, of Durlstone Drive, Sheffield; and Jade Tubb, 33, also of Crabtree Road, Walsall. A sixth defendant, 29-year-old Endrit Nikolli of Crabtree Road, Walsall, is scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, April 29. All six faced charges of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
Investigation and Police Raids
The investigation began in October 2024 when detectives at Macclesfield Proactive CID noticed a pattern of burglaries in eastern Cheshire, including areas like Macclesfield, Prestbury, Weston, and Willaston. Offenders typically used ladders to access first-floor windows and balconies. After months of collaborative work with other police forces, raids were conducted on July 2 at addresses in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, and Birmingham, leading to the arrests of Nikolli, Pepa, Gropcaj, and Tubb.
These operations were supported by officers from Staffordshire Police, Derbyshire Police, and Nottinghamshire Police. Dedndreaj was later arrested in Surrey, while Lleshi was apprehended in Sheffield on September 3. During the raids, police recovered 13 designer handbags, 14 watches worth nearly £17,000, and several mobile phones containing incriminating evidence.
Digital Evidence and Gang Operations
Analysis of the seized mobile phones revealed hundreds of images of stolen items and messages with links to Google Maps that correlated with burglary scenes. The gang used Google to search for affluent postcodes and then browsed Rightmove to study floorplans of potential targets. They even set weekly targets for gold theft and shared images of their ill-gotten gains, showing a blatant disregard for their victims.
Police Statements and Community Impact
Detective Sergeant Laura Fox of Macclesfield Proactive CID emphasised the detailed collaboration between forces, stating, "This investigation is a result of a detailed collaboration between forces across several months, with an unwavering commitment to identify those responsible and bring them to justice." She noted that the gang specifically targeted wealthy victims and expanded their crime spree across multiple forces to avoid detection.
Detective Chief Inspector David Worthington added, "If you commit crime in Cheshire, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice. Our officers are committed to travelling the length and breadth of the country to ensure that those who cause harm in our communities are held accountable." He expressed hope that the sentencing would provide reassurance to victims and serve as a warning to potential offenders.
While some stolen items have been recovered, the majority are believed to have been sold on. The gang's guilty pleas were compelled by the overwhelming evidence gathered during the investigation, highlighting the effectiveness of cross-force police work in tackling organised crime.
