Bungling Burglars Nabbed by Their Own Screwdrivers
Two clumsy crooks were caught red-handed thanks to sharp detective work, forensic science, and the help of interpreters. Their own tools tripped them up, leading to jail time and hefty penalties.
Sentences Handed Down to Burglary Duo
- Gheorghe Serban, 33, from Addlestone, was locked up for 34 months and slapped with a victim surcharge.
- His brother-in-law, Iulian Toma, 43, of Crawley, escaped immediate jail but got a 21-month suspended sentence, plus an electronic curfew from 8pm to 5am.
Caught in the Act on Hampshire Court
On the evening of Friday, 15 January 2021, police responded to reports of two suspicious men trying to break into homes on Hampshire Court, Addlestone.
Officers detained the pair, who denied owning the screwdrivers found near their feet. The burglars claimed they were just out for cigarettes and visiting an old flame. But CCTV and door-to-door enquiries blew their story out of the water, showing them fiddling with doors on not one, but two houses.
Forensics and Translated Footage Seal Their Fate
Forensic tests confirmed Serban had handled the screwdrivers, with possible use by Toma. Crucially, bodycam video translated from Romanian captured Serban asking, “Did you throw that thing away?” – a clear nod to the burglary tools.
Both men pleaded guilty to two attempted burglaries and being equipped for burglary. They later skipped their court dates, with Serban even fleeing the country. Police tracked them down, and justice caught up: Serban was sentenced in October, Toma followed in November.
“Burglary is a despicable crime, and nobody should feel unsafe in their own home,” said PC Daniel Bell, who led the investigation. “I hope this sentence sends a clear warning to other would-be burglars.”
Winter Warning: Lock Up or Pay the Price
As dark nights roll in, burglary risks rise. Protect your home now with simple, cost-effective security tips:
- Use timer lights when you’re out.
- Install burglar or panic alarms.
- Secure sheds and side alleys with sturdy padlocks.
These easy upgrades could stop burglars in their tracks and help police bring offenders to justice.
