Ilford ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ pair jailed for stealing property worth hundreds of thousands
Ovidiu-Constantin Plamada, 31, and Mariana Sandra, 43. Picture: Metropolitan Police - Credit: Archant
A couple has been jailed for a total of 12 years after admitting to a string of burglaries in the South East.
Ovidiu-Constantin Plamada, 31, and Mariana Sandra, 43, both of High Road, Ilford, were branded a “modern day Bonnie and Clyde” after committing 179 residential burglaries across London, Essex and Kent.
The pair pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary between May and November 2014 and received six years each.
Plamada and Sandra were arrested as they drove across Dartford Bridge on November 4 last year and were in possession of stolen items from two recent burglaries at the time of arrest.
Police found property ranging from expensive jewellery to random household items such as one victim’s dressing gown when they searched the pair’s home.
More than 100 of the burglaries were committed in London with the property stolen worth more than £400,000.
Judge Samantha Leigh said: “You both committed highly organised offending that had a devastating effect on people and violated their homes. You are a modern day Bonnie and Clyde.”
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Det Sgt Brett Hagen said: “Plamada and Sandra were a prolific burgling duo who committed a vast number of residential burglaries over a relatively short period of time.
“They were clearly committing burglary for financial gain, but also stole some strange items such as a tin of mackerel, women’s make-up and a duvet set, suggesting they were actually using victim’s personal property to furnish their home and their lifestyles.”
He added: “The jail sentence today reflects the scale of their offending and will provide them with plenty of time to reflect on the dozens of victims who continue to suffer the effects of having been targeted by thieves.”
As a result of the The joint Metropolitan Police and Essex Police investigation “a large number of victims” have been reunited with their property.
Ch Insp Mike Hamer said: “This represents a fantastic result for the team and highlights the benefits of police constabularies working together to combat serious crime.
“The effects of becoming a victim of burglary run far deeper than a loss of property. I hope that today’s sentences bring a measure of closure to the vast number of people victimised by these criminals.”
