Four men have been jailed for their roles in a series of break-ins which involved stealing over £1 million worth of items from properties around the country including in Hertfordshire.

Hertfordshire Constabulary revealed that the gang targeted new build properties and stole from homes located in 10 different counties.

The group forced their entry into homes in the new neighbourhoods by smashing windows. They then stole boilers, large household appliances, and heat pumps from the houses.

Hertfordshire Constabulary revealed that the gang completed the raids between January and October 2025, and often left the properties badly damaged with live gas and water pipes often left severed. In some cases, the homes had already been sold and buyers were waiting to move in, the police force added.

placeholder image — These four men have been sent to jail

Data released by Hertfordshire Constabulary shows that 449 properties were targeted, with overall losses exceeding £1 million.

Four people were arrested and charged in connection with the raid. They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and were sentenced at Albans Crown Court on Wednesday.

The four jailed men are:

-Ilie Turan, aged 26, of Rounding Mews, Northampton, who was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison.

-Tudor Ionas, aged 25, of Harrington Close, Northampton, who was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.

-Dinis Cibotari, aged 24, of Avondale Court, London, who was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.

-Victor Borta, aged 19, of Pitstone Road, Northampton, who was sentenced to three years and 11 months in prison.

Detective Constable Tilly Andrews, investigating officer from Operation Linkage, the constabulary’s response to home burglaries, said: “This group carried out a large-scale series of burglaries which caused more than £1 million worth of losses and left hundreds of properties damaged.

“Their actions affected developers and buyers who were eagerly waiting to move into their new homes. In many cases, they also created serious safety risks by leaving gas and water pipes exposed.

“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.”