A MAN arrested in connection with around 80 burglary artifice incidents, some of which involved vulnerable Hounslow residents, has been charged. Police arrested a 34-year-old man in West London on Friday.
He has been charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, which account for up to 60 burglaries, and 15 separate burglaries.
He appeared at Feltham Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning where he was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.
Police have previously charged a 22-year-old female in connection with the same conspiracy offences.
After his arrest on Friday November 30, the man was held in custody in Surrey over the weekend for extensive questioning about the crimes.
On Monday morning he was charged with one crime as a holding charge and appeared before Feltham Magistrates Court as police requested permission to hold him in custody for a further three days. The application was granted.
Detective Inspector Alan Holford said: "There has been a significant investigation into these crimes. A number of the incidents took place in Hounslow and also across South West London.
"All the victims were elderly and vulnerable people".
Sergeant Dean Purvis said: "These charges are the result of a substantial police investigation between the Metropolitan, Surrey and Thames Valley Police. These type of offences target our most vulnerable members of society and we hope these charges provide some reassurance to those affected, that every effort will be made to ensure offenders are removed from the community".
Burglary artifice is when a bogus caller obtains entry to a premises in order to steal. Callers often disguise themselves by claiming to be from the local council or gas and electricity company workers.
