Two prolific criminals linked to Rolex and jewellery burglaries across London are jailed after being caught out by topping up an Oyster card
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Two prolific criminals have been jailed after detectives linked their Oyster cards to a spate of Rolex and jewellery burglaries across London.
Clirim Ferizi, 27, and Oresti Saliaj, 40, targeted homes belonging to south Asian families in search of the luxury items.
Valuables stolen by the pair included a Rolex watch worth £7,000, gold earrings worth £1,500 and an antique gold and diamond ring worth £1,200.
They were caught following a police investigation which examined CCTV, forensic evidence, mobile phone and Oyster card data.
CCTV captured the men breaking into a home on Shenley Avenue in Ruislip in February and leaving shortly afterwards with a bag of jewellery.
They were then seen on CCTV boarding a bus back towards the local Underground station where Ferizi topped up his Oyster card before tapping in.
The following day, both men forced entry into a house on Marsh Road in Harrow.
CCTV captured them inside the victim's home and searching each room before leaving shortly afterwards. Detectives went to the house, collected DNA and searched through further footage.
Clirim Ferizi (pictured) was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday
Oresti Saliaj (pictured), of Wembley Park Drive, Brent, was previously sentenced to three years and six months in prison
CCTV captured the pair boarding a bus back towards the local Underground station where Ferizi topped up his Oyster card before tapping in
Both men had concealed their identities with face coverings while inside the victim's home so officers instead analysed the pair's travel history.
After tracing their steps, footage showed both men arriving at Pinner Underground station and travelling on a bus towards the second victim's address.
Following the burglary, Ferizi and Saliaj made their way back to Pinner Underground station to leave the area.
Detectives also found Saliaj and an unknown man had broken into a house in Oakleigh Park North in Barnet, north London, and stolen a Rolex watch worth £7,000 and other jewellery and handbags of value on January 30.
Officers arrested Ferizi, of Tookey Close, Harrow, and Saliaj on March 23 for burglary offences, while Ferizi was further arrested for possession of class A drugs.
Their Oyster cards were found, analysed and provided a digital record of timestamps detailing the pair's movements during and after each burglary, while also corroborating CCTV evidence.
Ferizi was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Valuables stolen by the pair included a Rolex watch worth £7,000, gold earrings worth £1,500 and an antique gold and diamond ring worth £1,200. They are seen here during one of the robberies
The pair are seen here escaping following one of the robberies. They have both now been jailed after police caught them after they topped up an Oyster card
Saliaj, of Wembley Park Drive, Brent, was previously sentenced to three years and six months in prison on April 22 at the same court, the Met said.
Detective Sergeant Ross Smith, who led the Met's investigation, said: 'These offenders deliberately targeted families in their own homes, causing emotional distress and fear to their victims.
'This investigation brought together a range of evidence, including Oyster card data, which strengthened the case and helped build a strong evidential picture, placing both offenders at the scene of each burglary.
'We know burglary has a lasting impact on victims, and we're committed to pursuing offenders and bringing them to justice. Our approach is working, with burglary down by 6 per cent across London over the last year, demonstrating the impact of increased patrols and targeted action.'
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