Brutal Chatham Burglar Jailed for Over a Decade
A violent thug who played a lead role in a terrifying home invasion in Chatham has been locked up for 11 years.
Gheorghe-Hagi Constantin, 24, of Luton Road, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on March 27, 2025, after being found guilty of aggravated burglary.
Masked Gang Terrorises Family in Early Hours Raid
The shocking break-in happened in the early hours of September 8, 2023. Several masked, armed men smashed their way into a home near Luton Road. Armed with bladed weapons and gloves, the gang woke the residents, assaulted one occupant, and demanded valuables.
They ransacked the property and escaped with two watches and two mobile phones. Police arriving at the scene spotted some gang members fleeing on foot.
Fast Police Work and Major Bust
Detectives launched a high-powered investigation featuring forensic analysis and sweeping inquiries. They discovered some burglars came all the way from London, while others were local.
Multiple arrests followed. Some crooks pleaded guilty; others were convicted at trial.
Fellow Gangsters Already Behind Bars
- Ion Vasile, 22, from Maidstone, got eight years and five months.
- Robert Maytum, 36, from Chatham, was handed seven years and two months.
- Denis Calin, 20, of Chatham, got seven years.
- Rogel Dumitru, 20, from Bexleyheath, received seven and a half years in August 2024.
Key Burglar Caught After Months on the Run
Constantin, who wielded a machete during the raid, was tracked down by relentless cops and arrested on August 29, 2024, after dodging capture for months.
“Constantin played a significant part in this appalling crime and is now joining the four other offenders in prison,” said Detective Constable Dan Bister. “This was a premeditated crime that terrorised a family in their own home, and those responsible should be ashamed of their actions.”
One Culprit Still on the Run
Police warn that one gang member remains at large.
“The final member of the gang should be constantly looking over his shoulder as our pursuit of him will be relentless and his arrest inevitable,” added Detective Constable Bister.
This hard-hitting bust underscores the dedication of police hunting down violent criminals to keep communities safe.
