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Four jailed for burglaries targeting Indian homes in London
The thieves stole over $1.29 million (£1 million) worth of jewellery in just 8 months.
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Pranavi Sharma - Sun, 13, Jul 2025
- 01:30 EDT
- 33
Representative Image / Pexels
Four members of an organised crime group that targeted homes belonging to Indian and other South Asian families in London and surrounding counties have been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison.
The men stole over $1.29 million (£1 million) worth of jewellery between December 2023 and July 2024, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Jerry O’Donnell, 33, Barney Maloney, Quey Adger, 23, and Patrick Ward, 43, pleaded guilty to burglary and were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on July 11. Three of the men—O'Donnell, Maloney, and Adger—were caught in July 2024 carrying stolen jewellery following a year-long, intelligence-led operation by the Met Police.
Detectives tracked their vehicle using CCTV evidence linking it to multiple burglaries. Specialist officers pursued the car and conducted a forced stop, recovering hundreds of stolen items inside, including a gold wedding ring, several gold necklaces, and a solid gold hair pin. Ward was arrested shortly afterward at his residence, after being identified as part of the same organised network.
Detective Sergeant Lee Davison, who led the investigation, said: “This comprehensive operation enabled us to disrupt a key part of an organised crime network. As a result of the work conducted by specialist officers, a handful of serial criminals will now spend a substantial amount of time behind bars.”
He added, “While the monetary value of this crime is staggering, its sentimental worth is priceless. I hope these men spend a lot of time reflecting on the impact their actions have had on the community.”
As part of the investigation, officers also raided a jewellery shop in Hatton Garden, where stolen gold was believed to have been melted down and resold. They recovered $64,000 (£50,000) in cash and eight kilos of jewellery. The recovered items included a World War I officer’s Rolex, an engraved gold ring, a gold locket with old photographs, and a gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.
While many items were returned to their rightful owners after a media appeal in March prompted dozens to come forward, police are still seeking to identify remaining pieces. The burglaries occurred in south London areas including Croydon, Sutton, and Wandsworth, as well as Surrey, Sussex, and Essex.
Authorities say the group primarily targeted South Asian households, which often hold gold jewellery of both financial and cultural significance.
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