Trio jailed for 10 years over £700k jewellery shop tunnel plot

Three men have been jailed for a combined total of 10 years and two months after attempting to burgle a jewellery shop by tunnelling from an adjacent massage parlour in Tooting. Ioan Asafeti, Laurentiu-Daniel Nitisoara, and Sergiu Plastin were part of an organised crime group linked to burglaries valued at over £700,000 across London.

The incident occurred in the early hours of July 17 on Mitcham Road, Tooting, when police responded to reports of a suspected burglary. Officers discovered a hole being dug through a wall from a massage parlour into the neighbouring jewellery store. Tools and equipment used for digging were found at the scene.

Nitisoara, 38, was arrested in a nearby alleyway. Asafeti, 39, was found hiding on a rooftop and assisted down by officers. Plastin, 42, was apprehended at Stansted Airport later that day as he attempted to leave the country for Ireland.

Organised Crime Group Activity

The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad identified a car linked to the group and used mobile phone data to track their movements. Investigations revealed the group targeted jewellers, often tunnelling into shops overnight to bypass security systems. CCTV footage showed members acquiring the necessary tools for the foiled burglary.

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Magee stated that the sentencing sends a message to those who target London businesses. He added that the arrests of these three individuals were part of a larger investigation that uncovered the organised crime group responsible for numerous jewellery shop break-ins across the capital, amounting to over £700,000.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

In August, all three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal and cause criminal damage at Kingston Crown Court. They were sentenced at the same court on Friday. Asafeti, of no fixed address, received a sentence of four years and 10 months. Plastin, from Portadown, Co Armagh, was jailed for three years and four months. Nitisoara, also of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years.