A man who entered a South Cambridgeshire home through a dog flap and stole £5,000 worth of items has been sentenced to prison.
Winston Papalaka, 28, of Harold Road in Crystal Palace, was found guilty of burglary and received a sentence of four years and six months on Monday (July 29).
The Crime
Papalaka, along with his accomplice Ben Hatto, 43, broke into a house in June 2021 by crawling through the dog flap. The pair ransacked the home, stealing a laptop, three watches, diamond and sapphire earrings, a Tiffany gold ring, and cash.
Witnesses
Unfortunately for the burglars, their crime was witnessed by a roofer working on a nearby house. The roofer was able to identify Papalaka by name and observed him throwing items from a laptop bag around his neck as he walked along the street.
Papalaka had also been spotted acting suspiciously prior to the burglary. A resident had noticed Hatto looking around the front of her home and ringing the video doorbell. When questioned, Hatto claimed he was looking for directions to the guided busway.
Arrest and Trial
Both men were arrested and charged with burglary. Hatto, of North Denes Road in Great Yarmouth, admitted to the burglary and is set to be sentenced in September. Papalaka denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury.
Police Statement
Detective Constable Lisa Bacon, who led the investigation, praised the local community for their vigilance and assistance.
“Papalaka showed a complete disregard for the victim by throwing some of the stolen haul onto the street,” Bacon said. “I would like to thank the eagle-eyed residents and witnesses – the woman who noticed the men outside her home, the neighbor gardening, the man working on the roof of a house nearby, and the neighbor opposite who noticed jewellery on the ground near her car. Although they may seem like small snippets of information, this case highlights how these snippets come together to help us solve crimes.”
Community Impact
The case underscores the importance of community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement. The observations and actions of residents played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending the burglars, ultimately leading to justice being served.
Future Sentencing
With Papalaka now serving his sentence, the community awaits the sentencing of Hatto in September, hoping for a similar outcome to ensure justice for the victims and a safer community for all.
