Wimbledon prowler: Astrit Kapaj jailed for 14 years following decade-long string of burglaries

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One of Britain’s most prolific burglars has been jailed for 14 years after a decade spent targeting rich and famous residents in Wimbledon.

Astrit Kapaj was known as the “Wimbledon prowler” for stealing cash and jewellery valued at almost £500,000 during a series of raids on homes in the southwest London suburb.

Kapaj, who owned a fish and chip shop, travelled hundreds of miles at a time from his home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to make the burglaries without his family’s knowledge.

He pleaded guilty to 26 offences dating back to 2008 after he was finally caught by detectives this year.

However, detectives believe Kapaj may have been responsible for 10 times that many offences, with up to £5m in stolen jewellery and cash lifted from homes in the area dating back to 2004.

Kapaj, who is originally from Albania, lived in Wimbledon shortly after arriving in the UK in the 1990s.

His crimes included an attempted raid on the home of tennis star Boris Becker that he admitted to earlier this year.

On another occasion, Kapaj was reportedly chased across a garden by footballer Nicolas Anelka.

Suspicion around the identity of the “prowler” had consumed the community, with home owners sacking childminders, drivers and cleaners they assumed were responsible for the thefts.

Laurie Porter, who sits on the Wimbledon Village Safer Neighbourhood Watch panel, said: “When people didn’t know why their things were going missing they were firing people who were working or helping them in their homes.

“There were many theories about who this person might be, but none of them correct. He [Kapaj] was constantly discussed at dinner parties, out on the street, at the pub – I don’t know what we’re going to talk about any more.

“He was constantly in everyone’s minds, we didn’t feel safe in our homes.”

At the investigation’s height, Scotland Yard had a team of 50 officers working full-time to find him and drew up a suspects’ list of around 60 criminals with a record of burglaries in the area.

However, Kapaj did not appear on police records.

Police said he was able to avoid detection because of his meticulous planning, attention to detail and unusual methods, which included repairing any damage he caused.

He was only caught after advances in DNA technology showed that two burglaries committed nearby, but two years apart, were carried out by the same suspect.

Kapaj has never told police what happened to the money or jewellery he stole, which police have been unable to trace.

The court heard that the thief, who was a gambling addict, said he owed money when he was arrested by police in Wimbledon on 22 February.

At his sentencing at Kingston Crown Court, Judge Peter Lodder QC said: “You are a prolific, persistent and professional burglar.

“Such was your stealth and expertise in many cases it remains a mystery how you gained entry to their homes.

“Not surprisingly, you terrified the whole community.”

Kapaj admitted 22 burglaries, three attempted burglaries and one count of going equipped for burglary, with thefts totalling £497,300.

Agencies contributed to this report