Essex officers praised for commitment in burglary investigation

POLICE officers from across West Essex have been praised for their hard work, dedication and commitment in a complicated burglary investigation.

Nineteen officers were commended for their role in the investigation that led to imprisonment of three men.

During the investigation, detectives from Grays CID established that the group was responsible for committing burglaries in Essex, Hertfordshire and areas of London.

It is thought that the value of the property stolen during the burglaries totalled £150,000. Many of these items have now been reunited with their rightful owners.

Janet, one of the trio’s victims, praised the officers who supported her following the burglary at her Grays home after Christmas last year.

She said her life was turned upside down after the break-in. She added: “As soon as I reported the burglary, there was a marvellous response from the police. The Crime Scenes Investigators arrived really quickly and I was kept updated the whole time. The detectives who led the investigation have been brilliant.”

In January, Janet was contacted by detectives from Grays CID who informed her that her property had been recovered as a result of their investigations.

Janet said: “I was absolutely amazed. I never expected to see any of my possessions again.

“I went to the station to identify my items and I couldn’t believe the size of the display of stolen property. It’s obvious that lots of hours have gone into the investigation and they had been working around the clock.”

The men, all from Caledon Road, London were sentenced at the Basildon Crown Court on 8 June.

Ioan Rus, aged 29, was sentenced to five years for conspiring to commit burglary and fraud.

Ovidiu Radu, aged 24, was sentenced to five years for conspiring to commit burglary and fraud.

Elvis Mihalia, aged 31, was sentenced to eighteen months for handling stolen goods.

Rus and Radu had each admitted a charge of conspiring to commit burglary and fraud at a previous hearing, along with Mihalia who admitted a charge of handling stolen goods.