Men admit trying to tunnel into jewellery shop

Three men have admitted attempting to tunnel into a jewellery shop in south London, a method they allegedly used to carry out a series of high-value burglaries across the city over the summer. The operation was thwarted by Metropolitan Police officers who discovered the suspects in the act during the early hours of Friday, 17 July, on Mitcham Road in Tooting. According to police reports, the arrest began when officers responded to a disturbance near the jewellery store. One suspect, Laurentiu-Daniel Nitisoara, 38, was apprehended immediately in a nearby alleyway. A second man, Ioan Asafeti, 39, was found hiding on a rooftop and taken into custody shortly afterward. During a search of a nearby massage parlour, investigators uncovered evidence of the group’s plan to dig a tunnel through the wall separating the premises from the jewellery shop. Tools and equipment used for the excavation were recovered at the scene. The investigation expanded rapidly after the initial arrests. Detectives traced a vehicle associated with the group and used mobile phone data to locate a third suspect, Sergiu Plastin, 42, of Portadown, Craigavon. He was arrested at Stansted Airport as he attempted to flee to Ireland. All three men later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal and cause criminal damage at Kingston Crown Court on Friday. Their sentencing is scheduled for 23 October. The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad conducted a broader investigation following the arrests, which revealed connections to a network of commercial burglaries targeting jewellers across London between May and July. These crimes resulted in losses exceeding £700,000. According to police statements, the suspects primarily focused on jewellery stores, employing tunnelling methods to infiltrate premises overnight while circumventing security measures. CCTV footage obtained by authorities showed members of the group acquiring tools and other equipment used in the burglies. Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell noted that the arrests were pivotal in dismantling the operation. “Their arrests didn’t just stop this burglary,” he stated. “They formed part of a wider Flying Squad investigation that uncovered an organised crime group linked to a string of jewellery shop break-ins across London worth more than £700,000.” Mitchell emphasized the force’s efforts to reduce commercial burglary in the capital. He cited a 12 per cent decrease in such crimes over the past year and warned criminals against targeting London businesses. “We’re driving down commercial burglary across the capital,” he said. “Our message to these criminals is clear: target London businesses and we’ll hunt you down and put you before the courts.” The case highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by the group, including the use of tunnelling to bypass traditional security systems. This approach allowed them to operate undetected during nighttime hours, increasing the risk of theft without triggering alarms or surveillance alerts. The discovery of the tunneling operation in progress marked a critical turning point in the investigation, leading to the identification and arrest of all three suspects. Interpol inquiries suggested possible links between the group and similar offences in Europe, though further details remain under investigation. The Metropolitan Police continues to work with international counterparts to trace any potential networks or affiliations beyond the immediate group. As the trial approaches, the focus shifts to determining the appropriate legal consequences for the convicted men. Their actions not only endangered public safety but also caused substantial financial harm to local businesses. The sentencing hearing on 23 October will provide clarity on the judicial response to the crimes committed.