Albanian gang stole £1m in 44 burglaries

Gang Members Plead Guilty to Burglary Conspiracy

Endrit Nikolli, 27, Kristian Gropcaj, 30, George Lleshaj, 31, Krisjian Dedndreaj, 28, and Sidorjan Lleshi, 26, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to possess criminal property during hearings at Chester Crown Court on November 28, 2025, and January 6.

Jade Tubb, 33, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess criminal property on January 7.

Nikolli and Lleshi admitted to one additional count of burglary related to two burglaries in Staffordshire in March 2024 and December 2023.

Details of the Investigation

The total estimated value of the stolen items exceeds £1 million. The investigation began in October 2024 when detectives at Macclesfield Proactive CID noticed a series of burglaries in eastern Cheshire.

The group committed at least 44 burglaries across Cheshire, Cleveland, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and West Mercia.

They struck in Feckenham, Redditch, on January 15, 2025, three times, including twice in one day. They also targeted Barnt Green on February 1 and February 7, and Astwood Bank on February 14.

Methods and Arrests

In West Mercia, they committed nine offences in Hereford and Oswestry. The gang typically gained entry using ladders to access first-floor windows and balconies, according to Cheshire Police.

Once inside, they ransacked properties, stealing jewellery, designer handbags, watches, and cash. Collaboration between Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire Police helped link incidents in Cheshire to others across the UK through footwear marks.

Telephone checks on Gropcaj revealed regular contact with Nikolli, Dedndreaj, and Lleshaj. They met frequently at a coffee shop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Tubb was also identified as being in a relationship with Nikolli.

Raids and Evidence

On July 2, officers conducted raids in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, and Birmingham, leading to the arrests of Nikolli, Lleshaj, Gropcaj, and Tubb. Officers recovered 13 designer handbags and 14 watches worth nearly £17,000.

Several mobile phones were seized, revealing hundreds of images of stolen items and messages with links to Google Maps that matched burglary scenes. Evidence also indicated a sixth gang member, Sidorjan Lleshi, living in Sheffield.

Sentencing and Statements

All six defendants were charged and admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to possess criminal property. Detective Sergeant Laura Fox thanked Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Nottinghamshire Police for their support.

The gang targeted wealthy victims to steal high-value property. They even set weekly targets for the amount of gold to steal. Nikolli, Gropcaj, Dedndreaj, Lleshaj, and Lleshi conducted the burglaries, while Tubb spent their stolen gains.

Letters between Nikolli and Tubb referred to themselves as “Bonnie and Clyde,” showing their collaboration in the crimes. The gang showed no regard for the victims’ impact and often boasted about their crimes.

Upcoming Sentencing Dates

Dedndreaj, Nikolli, and Lleshaj, all of Crabtree Road, Walsall, Gropcaj of Gas Street, Birmingham, and Lleshi of Durlstone Drive, Sheffield, have been remanded. They will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on February 20. Tubb, also of Crabtree Road, Walsall, has been released on bail and will be sentenced on the same date.