Men admit series of burglaries in Swindon and Cricklade

Three people have pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries across three police force Force areas following a Wiltshire Police investigation.

Blerim Rodogoshi, 41, of Summerhill Parade, Dublin, Klodian Ruci, 32, of No Fixed Abode, London, and Hazret Zmakaj, 25, of Wayfarer Road, London, appeared at Swindon Crown Court.

Following a report of several burglaries in Swindon and Cricklade overnight from 22 to 23 July, officers from Wiltshire Police Special Operations identified a vehicle travelling in the area linked to the burglaries.

The three defendants were stopped in the vehicle on the M4 eastbound with property confirmed to be stolen from the reported burglaries and arrested.

Extensive enquiries, led by the Force’s Burglary Unit, then took place including analysis of CCTV footage and telecommunications, house-to-house and forensics, which led to the defendants being linked with more burglaries across Wiltshire, Thames Valley and Sussex.

Rodogoshi and Zmakaj were charged with seven burglaries, while Ruci was charged with four.

These include two burglaries in Cricklade overnight on 1 and 23 July, two burglaries in Swindon on 22 July, a burglary and an attempted burglary in Great Missenden and Pitstone on 22 July and a burglary in Crawley on 4 July.

Following the pleas, Ruci and Rodogoshi were remanded into custody and Zmakaj was bailed. A date for sentencing has yet to be set. 

DC Gary Bracey of the Wiltshire force’s Burglary unit, based at Gablecross Police Station in Swindon, said: “The defendants are prolific burglars who deliberately targeted addresses of elderly victims in the late evening or overnight.

“One of the group tended to act as the driver and lookout while the other two would enter properties via smashed windows or by prising rear windows open.

“The burglaries have had a significant impact on their victims, one of whom heard the defendants in the address and saw their silhouettes from her open bedroom door but was too scared to move.

“It is this kind of situation which can have a long-lasting impact on the victim and affect their sense of security and privacy in their own home, a place where they should feel completely safe.

“We take burglaries incredibly seriously.

“In line with our force priority of reducing the number of burglaries across Wiltshire, we have a dedicated burglary unit whose role it is to ensure that burglars are brought to justice before the courts.

“If you have been the victim of a burglary or if you have any information on burglaries, please do not hesitate to contact us either on 101 or through our website.

“If a crime is in progress, always call 999.”