Bexleyheath man jailed for his part in burglary which 'terrorised a family in their own home.'
The man and his accomplices entered the property with weapons and wearing balaclavas.
A man has been jailed for his part in a burglary which saw a family 'terrorised in their own home' in Chatham.
In the early hours of 8 September 2023, Rogel Dumitru, 20, and his accomplices went to a house near Luton Road armed with bladed weapons, wearing gloves and with their faces covered by masks or balaclavas.
When they entered the house, they woke up the family inside and assaulted one of them, demanding they tell them where they kept their valuables.
After searching the house, the criminals stole two watches and two mobile phones before fleeing the scene.
The police were alerted, and attending officers then saw some men running from the scene.
A mask was recovered near the victims’ home and a forensic examination recovered DNA belonging to Dumitru.
Investigators discovered Dumitru and his car had travelled from Bexleyheath to Chatham accompanied by the occupants of a van, before and after the incident.
They also proved he had been in contact with his accomplices Denis Calin and Ion Vasile prior to the crime, and they had all been in the vicinity of the incident when it happened.
Further enquiries proved Robert Maytum had also been present.
Dumitru, of Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath; Calin and Maytum, both Chatham residents; and Vasile, from Maidstone, were arrested later that month.
Vasile, Maytum and Dumitru pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to aggravated burglary, whilst Calin was convicted of burglary, following a trial.
Rogel Dumitru, 20, was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday.
The other men were sentenced on Friday 14 June 2024.
Vasile, 22, was sentenced to eight years and five months’ imprisonment and Maytum, 36, was jailed for seven years and two months.
Calin, 20, was imprisoned for seven years.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Dan Bister, said: ‘Dumitru played a significant part in this appalling crime and is now joining the three other offenders in prison.
This was a premeditated crime during which a family were terrorised in their own home.'
'The threats with weapons will have left a lasting impact on the victims and those responsible should be ashamed of their actions.
A meticulous investigation ensured the main culprits were identified, swiftly arrested and are now starting lengthy prison sentences.'
‘I would like to thank the victims and other witnesses who assisted our investigation and ensured these violent criminals are no longer a threat to other Medway households.’