Bognor Regis burglar jailed for series of break-ins

Lukasz Ksiezopolski, of Hawthorn Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary.

He was arrested at his home address in March 2012 in connection with break-ins across Sussex and Hampshire in the past eight months.

Aladdin’s cave

Detective Constable Jon Woolley led the joint operation called Op Peapod with Hampshire Police to catch the burglar.

He said: “Ksiezopolski’s home was like an Aladdin’s cave of stolen property, including dozens of items from reported burglaries in Sussex and Hampshire.

“The job then began of trying to trace where all the recovered electrical goods, jewellery and other items had come from.

“It was decided to use the Sussex Police website to publish the photos of the property on-line and then letters were sent to all burglary victims known to us in Sussex and our colleagues in Hampshire asking them to look at the website and fill in a form if they recognised their stolen property.

“We had many positive replies and managed to reunite several items of stolen property back to its rightful owners.

“However, there is still a good deal of unclaimed property that can viewed at http://peapod.sussex-police.co.uk/igallery.asp.”

Property

Detective Sergeant Martin Crocker, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “This was a joint investigation by officers from Hampshire Constabulary and Sussex Police which has resulted in a prolific dwelling house burglar being sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

“I would encourage the public to view the Sussex website to identify property believed stolen from burglary offences

“We are always keen to hear from anyone who may have information relating to stolen property or anyone responsible for burglary offences.”

Ksiezopolski was convicted of a burglary in Hawthorn Road, Bognor, on February 22, one in Meyrick Road, Havant, on March 6 and an attempted burglary in Worthing Road, Rustington on February 13.

DC Woolley continued: “We know Ksiezopolski used the train to travel across Hampshire and West Sussex and our enquiries are on-going with regards to further burglaries.

“If you have any information that could help police with this investigation, please call 101 quoting Operation Peapod or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”