Police have arrested four Albanian nationals and a British woman following an extensive investigation into a string of high-value burglaries across England.
The suspects, aged between 27 and 33, were detained during coordinated raids in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham and London as part of Operation Ambler.
Cheshire Police confirmed the arrests relate to at least 37 sophisticated burglaries carried out between October and March.
The alleged crime spree targeted wealthy residential properties across multiple counties, including celebrity hotspots in Cheshire's Golden Triangle.
Police have arrested four Albanian nationals and a British woman following an extensive investigation into a string of high-value burglaries across England
Cheshire Constabulary
All five suspects remain in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.
The operation involved multiple police forces working together to combat suspected Albanian organised crime gang activity.
Officers executed dramatic dawn raids on Wednesday, with footage showing police storming properties and arresting suspects in their beds.
The three-day operation recovered some of the alleged stolen goods, with police valuing the total cost of all missing items at over £1million.
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Officers executed dramatic dawn raids on Wednesday
Cheshire Constabulary
The burglaries targeted affluent areas, including Alderley Edge and Prestbury, where footballers and celebrities reside.
Thieves allegedly broke in through first-floor windows and doors, ransacking properties for high-value items.
The crime spree affected 10 homes in Cheshire, seven in Staffordshire, 13 in Derbyshire, three in Cleveland, and individual properties in Durham, West Mercia, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire.
Cheshire alone suffered losses exceeding £400,000, according to detectives leading the investigation.
The crime spree affected 10 homes in Cheshire
Cheshire Constabulary
Detective Sergeant Laura Fox of Macclesfield CID said: "Today's raids are the culmination of detailed investigations across multiple forces brought together into at least thirty-seven high value burglaries spread over a six-month period."
She added: "Our investigation has shown us that these incidents have been carefully planned and coordinated, and they've gone to great lengths to continue their crime spree across the country."
DS Fox noted the criminals specifically targeted high-value properties, breaking in through first-floor access points and ransacking premises to maximise their haul.
Detective Inspector Dave Jarvis issued a stark warning to other offenders: "No matter where you live, or how much you try to hide, our officers will come for you, and you will be arrested."
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