AN organised crime gang of Chilean burglars have been sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison after being found guilty of raids in rural Monmouthshire.

On Tuesday, June 27, the four men travelled to South Wales and committed five burglaries in quick succession, targeting large rural addresses in Monmouthshire and Cardiff.

Three of the gang were sentenced last Friday for the burglaries in south Wales and others in southern England.

At a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, 20-year-old Julio Galdamez-Rodriguez – alias Julio Daneil Galames Rodriquez – was sentenced to nine years, and 35 year old Luis Alberto Villarroel – alias Luis Alberto Rojas and Luis Alberto Rojas-Villarroel – and 31-year-old  Irancisco Javier Neira – alias Franciso Javier Montecinos – received six years.

Sentence is also pending on a 16-year-old who was also charged with the offences.

Following information received from members of the public at the scene of the final burglary in the series, the defendants were seen to leave the area in their vehicle, which was subsequently stopped on the M4 near Bristol by Avon and Somerset Police. 

On arrival officers discovered and seized the stolen property from five burglaries.

Once in custody, it was quickly established that the men were responsible for a considerable series of burglaries spanning many weeks around the country.

Evidence received from South Wales Police, Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley Police and Sussex Police enabled a further 10 burglaries to be detected.

All four men were subsequently charged with the series of domestic burglaries.

All of the properties targeted were large, detached, rural properties with entry gained by smashing a rear patio door or window

Items taken included jewellery, money, passports and electrical items like phones, small laptops etc.

Detective Constable Simon Reed who led the case for Gwent Police said:

“I would like to reassure our local residents that we are committed to tackling these types of reckless crimes and we will continue to proactively stop criminals who profit from other people’s misery.

“The defendants show no regard for their victims and intended to  callously scare and steal from them.”