Erfan Badita
Conspiracy to commit burglary *
Sentence
16-and-a-half years imprisonment
Erfan Badita, as the alleged ringleader, led a gang that targeted betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences in Croydon between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. The gang broke into businesses, destroyed burglar alarms, cut power supplies, and stole cash from safes. In one incident, gang members attacked a warehouse staff member, robbed him of cash from his wallet, cable-tied him, and beat him after he could not provide keys.
Police believe he was the ringleader and involved in every offence. He was sentenced for conspiracy to commit burglary, robbery, possession of CS Spray, and transferring criminal property. He sent around £47,000 in suspected criminal proceeds to Romania.