Two burglars who deliberately targeted the homes of South Asian families have been jailed for a combined five years and six months, after Met detectives used Oyster card travel data to link them to a series of London burglaries in which more than £8,000 worth of items was stolen.
Clirim Ferizi, 26, of Tookey Close, Harrow, was sentenced to two years imprisonment at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday, 20 August. His co-defendant Oresti Saliaj, 40, of Wembley Park Drive, Brent, was previously sentenced to three years and six months on Wednesday, 22 April at the same court.
Detectives launched their investigation following a burglary in Ruislip in February. Through extensive CCTV enquiries, forensic evidence, and analysis of mobile phone and Oyster card data, officers linked the pair to several other burglaries. The investigation found they had deliberately targeted homes belonging to South Asian families, believing they would find high-value jewellery and valuables.
Items stolen by the pair include a Rolex watch worth £7,000, gold earrings worth £1,500, and an antique gold and diamond ring worth £1,200.
On Friday, 30 January, Saliaj and an unknown man broke into a house in Oakleigh Park North in Barnet and stole a Rolex watch worth £7,000 and other jewellery and handbags of value. CCTV enquiries later showed the pair surveying the address several hours before the burglary to identify the victim and monitor their movements.
On Friday, 27 February, Ferizi and Saliaj broke into another house on Shenley Avenue in Ruislip and stole several valuable items. Detectives trawled through footage to trace the pair’s movements before, during and after the burglaries, which revealed the men arriving at Ruislip station then boarding a bus towards the victim’s address. CCTV captured the men breaking into the home and leaving shortly afterwards with a bag of valuable items. The pair was then seen on CCTV boarding a bus back towards Ruislip Underground station, where Ferizi topped up his Oyster card before tapping into the station.
The following day, both men forced entry into a house on Marsh Road in Harrow, although nothing was stolen. CCTV captured them inside the victim’s home and searching each room before leaving shortly afterwards.
After reviewing the footage, detectives found both men had concealed their identities with face coverings while inside the victim’s home, making visual identification difficult. Officers focused on alternative lines of enquiry by analysing the pair’s travel history to strengthen the evidence, linking them to each burglary.
Officers arrested Ferizi and Saliaj on Monday, 23 March for burglary offences, while Ferizi was further arrested for possession of class A drugs. Following their arrest, officers carried out a search and found their Oyster cards. Analysis of the travel cards provided a digital record of timestamps detailing the pair’s movements during and after each burglary, while also corroborating CCTV evidence. Further analysis of Ferizi’s debit card showed he had used it to top up his Oyster card at Ruislip station, providing further evidence that both offenders were in the area at the time of the burglary.
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.”
The sentences were announced by the Metropolitan Police today, although the two men were sentenced in April and August. The Met’s release also covers separate burglary cases sentenced this year, which are not part of this story.
