Four men have been jailed after admitting their roles in an organised burglary operation that targeted hundreds of new-build homes across England.
The group pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary following a national investigation led by Hertfordshire Constabulary. They were sentenced at St Albans Crown Court after admitting to breaking into housing developments in 10 counties between January and October 2025.
Police said the gang forced entry into 449 properties, typically by smashing windows, before stealing boilers, heat pumps and other household appliances.
The offences took place across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex and Wiltshire.
The thefts caused more than £1 million in losses and left extensive damage to properties. Officers said the gang also created serious safety risks by leaving exposed gas and water pipes after removing heating systems and other equipment.
Some of the homes had already been sold, with buyers waiting to move in when the burglaries took place.
Those sentenced were Ilie Turcan, 26, Tudor Ionas, 25, and Victor Borta, 19, all from Northampton, together with Dinis Cibotari, 24, of Canning Town, London.
The four men received prison sentences ranging from 47 months to 58 months, with Cibotari jailed for four years and two months.
Det Con Tilly Andrews, investigating officer from Operation Linkage, the constabulary’s response to home burglaries, told the press: “Their actions affected developers and buyers who were eagerly waiting to move in to their new homes.
“This was a complex investigation involving liaison between developers and other police forces from across the country.
“Thanks to the hard work and determination of everyone involved, we were able to identify those responsible and bring them before the courts.
“These sentences ensure the four men responsible have been held to account and faced justice for the damage they caused.”
