West Midlands ‘most wanted’ burglars jailed for 68 offences
Two prolific burglars featured on West Midlands Police’s “most wanted” list for committing almost 70 burglaries have been arrested and jailed.
During the peak of the COVID lockdowns from July 23 to November 7, 2020, Dobroslav Gabor and Marek Balog carried out 68 burglaries in the West Midlands. They targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals.
Following the string of burglaries, West Midlands Police released images of Gabor and Balog on social media and started a search.
Gabor was found hiding under a fencing panel at his residence on Windermere Road in Handsworth, Birmingham. Not long after, his partner was apprehended during a break-in act in Cheshire.
Gabor pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated burglary and conspiracy to commit 67 burglaries and was jailed for 16 years in May 2022. He had been arrested in October 2020 for using a stolen bank card, leading to a burglary charge in Birmingham magistrates’ court.
However, he and Balog continued breaking into homes after being released on bail.
Balog also confessed to the same offences and received a prison term of 14 years and 10 months on Tuesday, October 17.
“Gabor and Balog targeted people in their homes at a time when the country was under huge lockdown restrictions, meaning their homes were their safe haven,” said Detective Constable Suzie Doidge, who led the investigation.
“But these men broke in and took that from them. They stole their prized possessions, sentimental items and made people really fearful to sleep in their own beds.”
Long list of crimes
The duo used multiple means to break into houses and steal. According to the West Midlands Police, the pair walked into people’s homes and climbed onto roofs to enter through open windows.
Gabor and Balog would also pose as workmen and offer services such as cleaning driveways. Once inside, they would take advantage of the householders’ trust and steal money, bank cards, electrical items, and sentimental jewellery. For example, they stole money from a man asleep in his home in Lozells.
They also burglarised a deaf man’s home, who did not notice them smashing his window, and targeted a Birmingham temple twice.
Their worst burglary was when they assaulted a vulnerable 81-year-old man in West Bromwich. He had left his door unlocked while awaiting a carer’s visit, and upon confronting Gabor and Balog in his home, they assaulted him. They hit him, causing him to fall, and then threatened him with a knife.
They took money from his pockets and forcibly removed his wedding ring, which he had worn for nearly 60 years. The victim then activated his emergency alarm, which startled the intruders. They locked him in a room and disconnected his phone line.
Due to his injuries, he had to be hospitalised. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he has since passed away.
“I am glad some proper justice has been had. It is a shame that my dad isn’t around to hear this as he would have been really happy with this,” said the son of the 81-year-old man upon knowing about the burglars being jailed.
Staying safe from burglary in West Midlands
The burglary rate in the West Midlands is 5.0 percent of all crimes reported in the region. As of August 2023, the area’s total number of burglary crimes is 32,400, with 1,727 recorded during the month. This figure shows it has increased by 1.6 percent year-on-year.
Citizens should always secure their windows and doors, regardless of whether they are at home or away. Remember to lock away tools and ladders and install CCTVs and alarms to deter potential intruders.
If you live in a high-net-worth home or have valuable items, consider hiring a security agency like Marengo. Manned security can further deter burglars from targeting your property.
Sources:
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/dramatic-moment-west-midlands-most-27933963
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/10/18/prison-sentences-violent-burglaries-walsall-birmingham/
https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/23864314.duo-burgled-threatened-vulnerable-pensioner-jailed/
https://birmingham.connecttosupport.org/staying-independent/staying-safe-at-home/
