Bungling Trio Nabbed for Burglary Spree Across Kent and Essex
Three crooks made a messy grab for jewellery in a string of break-ins but ended up empty-handed and behind bars. Gabriel Zaharia, Gheorghe Ciobotaru, and Valentin Ciobotaru hit multiple homes across Sevenoaks, Dartford, Bexley, and Loughton before police closed in.
Failed Raids Across Multiple Towns
- On February 5, 2022, the gang drove a silver Mercedes to a Sevenoaks home on Hillydeal Road, forcing a window open but found no loot after a shoddy search.
- That same day, they targeted two houses on Shoreham Lane, Sevenoaks, plus properties on Leyton Cross Road, Dartford, and Summerhouse Drive, Bexley.
- Jewellery was stolen from the disorderly ransacked homes.
- Investigation linked them to two further break-ins on February 4 in Loughton, Essex.
Police Nab Trio Thanks to CCTV Clues
Officers from the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad tracked the silver Mercedes on CCTV. The suspects were arrested on February 9 in Ilford, Greater London, while still in the stolen vehicle.
The trio had no fixed address and were charged with six burglaries.
Justice Served: Jail Time for Two, Awaiting Sentence for Third
- At Maidstone Crown Court on March 17, all pleaded guilty.
- On July 28, Gabriel Zaharia, 30, and Valentin Ciobotaru, 34, were each locked up for five years and three months.
- Gheorghe Ciobotaru, 42, faces sentencing on September 7.
“This gang travelled between Kent and Essex leaving a trail of destruction as they forced their way into houses and searched for jewellery,” said Detective Constable Dan Bister.
“They showed no care for the pain caused, with some victims losing precious sentimental items. With two behind bars and the third in custody, Kent and Essex will be safer places.”
