Two Albanian burglars have been jailed for 56 months each after targeting seven properties, including the home of a footballer, as part of a “sophisticated and well-planned” operation.
Cheshire Burglaries: Footballer Targeted
Denis Puka, 28, and Erisjan Laska, 29, along with a third unidentified man, carried out a string of break-ins last year, using masks, tools, and walkie-talkies. The trio used an Airbnb in Warrington as a base and travelled in a Seat Leon fitted with three false registration plates.
Among the properties targeted between June 5-7 was the home of Scott Hogan, 33, a footballer who currently plays for MK Dons and previously played for Aston Villa, Brentford, and Birmingham City. Hogan was woken up by torchlight shining through his bedroom window around 11:30 p.m. on June 7, while his then-pregnant wife and young daughter were also in the house.
Prosecutor Nardeen Nemat told the court the defendants climbed over fences and into gardens, with one climbing onto another’s shoulders to reach a bedroom window. Hogan chased the males away when he discovered them.
Hogan told the court the incident had “led to many sleepless nights full of stress and anxiety,” and stated he couldn’t fully express the dramatic effect it had on his family. He has since installed a new security system.
Prior to the attempted burglary at Hogan’s home, two other addresses were targeted on June 5. The defendants gained access to one property and ransacked it, but nothing was stolen. They were also disturbed while attempting to break into houses in Grappenhall and Knutsford the following night.
The burglars were successful at a mansion in Northwich while the owners were on holiday, stealing Breitling and Rolex watches worth a total of £9,000.
The Seat Leon was recovered from a housing estate in Warrington over a week later, containing mobile phones, clothing worn by the defendants, tools, and the false registration plates.
Judge Steven Everett sentenced the pair on Tuesday, stating the conspiracy was “sophisticated and well-planned” and that their actions caused “sheer devastation.”
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