Shop Burglar Caught and Jailed for £75,000 John Lewis Heist
Targeted Raids Hit Tunbridge Wells and Ashford Stores
A brazen burglar has been locked up after ransacking John Lewis shops in Tunbridge Wells and Ashford, making off with thousands worth of high-end electrical gadgets. Ionel Stoian, 51, swiped laptops, speakers, and smartwatches during two daring early-morning raids in 2020.
£50k Stolen in Tunbridge Wells Break-In
On 15 September 2020, Stoian and his gang forced their way into the Kingstanding Way store at 1:50am. They walked off with around 100 items valued at nearly £50,000.
Ashford Store Hit Next – £25k Looted Through Window Hole
Just over a month later, Stoian’s crew smashed in at the Fougeres Way branch by cutting a hole in a window. They made off with electrical goods worth at least £25,000 during the early hours of 24 October.
Investigation Pins Stoian with Forensic Evidence
Detectives traced a black Ford Focus spotted near both crime scenes back to Stoian. The car was registered to him and used to ferry the stolen goods from his home in Havant, Hampshire.
Crucially, forensic teams found Stoian’s blood on a laptop charger at the Ashford store.
Justice Served at Maidstone Crown Court
Stoian was arrested on 1 February 2021 alongside Nicusor Olteanu, 31, from Southsea. Stoian pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and received a prison sentence of two years and three months on 2 August.
Olteanu, who admitted handling stolen goods, was fined £250.
Detective Constable Billie-Louise Mills said: “Stoian was part of an organised crime group responsible for a string of commercial burglaries in Kent and beyond. They came prepared with tools and bags to steal as much as possible. The crimes were carefully planned, and Stoian would have carried on offending if he hadn’t been caught.”
