Peppa Pig creator robbed on Valentine's Day

Mark Baker's 12,500 square foot Surrey mansion was burgled while he and his wife were out for just 90 minutes on February 14th. Thieves stole 15 designer bags, a Rolex watch, and jewellery worth 65,000 pounds.

Alarm system left unset

The Bakers locked their doors but failed to properly activate their home security system. Burglars entered and exited through a first-floor window.

Thieves caught on CCTV

Security footage showed the burglars carrying a Louis Vuitton suitcase at Claygate Station in Surrey shortly after the break-in.

Victim left living in fear

Mrs Baker developed severe anxiety after the burglary, refusing to leave home and keeping her alarm on constantly. She once mistook her husband for a burglar when he approached her from behind.

“She screamed when her husband came up behind her wearing dark clothes as she thought he was a burglar.”

Second burglary three days later

Police surveillance led them to Radu Dogaru and Adrian Alempi, who broke into a Kingston upon Thames home while the owner was in Hungary. They forced open a safe containing gold bars, jewellery, and cash.

Arrested boarding a bus

Police caught Dogaru and Alempi as they attempted to board a bus. Items stolen from Mark Baker's home were recovered during a search of Dogaru's residence.

Rotterdam museum art heist connection

Both men had previously been jailed in Holland for stealing masterpieces from Rotterdam's Kunsthal gallery in 2012. Works by Picasso, Monet, Gauguin, and Lucien Freud were stolen in under three minutes.

Stolen paintings never recovered

The stolen artworks included Picasso's Harlequin Head, Monet's Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross Bridge, and Matisse's Reading Girl In White and Yellow. Most were insured for 24.4 million dollars but never found.

Prison sentences in Holland

Dogaru received six years and eight months in November 2013 for the museum heist. Alempi, also known as Adrian Procop, received the same sentence.

Released and relocated to UK

After serving their sentences, the pair travelled to Britain where they resumed their criminal activities, this time targeting wealthy homeowners instead of museums.

Guilty pleas to burglary charges

Both men admitted to two counts of burglary. Alempi also pleaded guilty to illegally entering the UK on February 13th, the day before the Baker burglary, in breach of a deportation order.

Alempi sentenced to five years

Adrian Alempi received a five-year prison sentence at Inner London Crown Court for his role in the burglaries and illegal entry into the UK.

Dogaru sentenced to four years

Radu Dogaru was sentenced to four years in jail for his involvement in the two burglaries targeting wealthy Surrey and London homes.

Judge references art heist history

The judge told both men their 2012 museum theft was highly significant and involved priceless artworks. She noted their desire to return to Romania and said immigration authorities would handle deportation.

“That related to the considerable theft from an art museum in the Netherlands involving significant pieces of art, very high profile pieces of art.”

Third gang member gets suspended sentence

Alexandru Tepelus, 33, was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work after admitting to handling stolen goods from a separate burglary.

Stolen goods traced through pawnbroker

Items stolen from victim Amina Bawany's Kingston home were identified on the Invaluable auction website. They had been sent there by Prestige Pawnbrokers, who received them from Tepelus.

Bawany's home looted of 69,000 pounds

Amina Bawany was abroad when her Kingston home was burgled in 2024. Thieves stole goods worth 69,000 pounds including a Chanel handbag worth more than 5,000 pounds.

Victim still feels unsafe

Ms Bawany told the court she continues to suffer from anxiety and paranoia in her own home, especially when alone. She still feels unsafe after the theft.

“She still feels unsafe and suffers from anxiety and paranoia in her own home.”

Pawnbroker accounts linked to gang

The judge noted that Prestige Pawnbrokers had accounts with both Dogaru and Alempi, suggesting the gang used the business to launder stolen goods from multiple burglaries.