Burglar jailed for four years after cross-county break-ins

Detectives from Bedfordshire Police's dedicated burglary team, Operation Maze, have helped put a prolific burglar behind bars.

On Monday (18 November), Graham Pinsent, 55, of no fixed address, was sentenced after admitting a series of four burglaries across Luton and Bedford.

The Op Maze team managed to identify Pinsent using CCTV sourced from near each of the scenes. He was arrested and later charged with the four offences, which took place in March. 

Pinsent initially struck in Lincoln Road, Shortstown on 7 March, stealing jewellery from a property. He then embarked on a burglary spree in Luton targeting two houses in Villa Road and another on Hitchin Road, on consecutive days from 24 to 26 March. Among items stolen were cash and electrical goods.  

He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to a total of four years behind bars.

Operation Maze’s Detective Constable Jason Wheeler, who led the investigation, said: “Pinsent targeted properties and would steal sentimental items including jewellery. Some of these items have never been recovered.

“Burglary causes a great deal of distress for victims, so we will persist in our efforts to catch them. I am glad I was able to identify Pinsent on CCTV in relation to each of the offences, giving him no option but to plead guilty to the charges put to him.”

Reporting crimes and suspicious activity to police is crucial for maintaining community safety and security. You can report online  or call 101. 

If a crime is in progress, call 999.