The family is accused of around 60 burglaries (illustration) -

ISOPIX / SIPA

Members of the same family received sentences of up to 5 years in prison, by the courts, in Béziers (Hérault), for receiving the booty of 62 burglaries committed by minors, reports the prosecutor, Raphaël Balland.

The investigations began in 2017, when the gendarmes noted numerous break-ins, committed by several individuals, from private homes, according to the similar operating procedure: the investigation identified around fifty burglaries, committed between November 2017 and January 2018, "likely to implicate several minors brought to the scene of the facts by adults", notes the prosecutor.

A couple's home, "home port" for young burglars

The minors were then suspected of targeting houses in broad daylight, ringing doors to verify the absence of occupants, then forcing doors or windows in search of jewelry, cash or multimedia devices.

Investigators then suspected that the home, in Béziers, of a couple of Macedonian forties, already convicted by the courts on several occasions for aggravated thefts, seemed to be the “home port” of the young burglars.

In 2018, 62 burglaries were finally identified, in municipalities of Biterrois.

On May 15, 2018, eight people were indicted, including two minors, all from the same family.

On May 27, one of the minors was sentenced by the juvenile court to 10 months imprisonment with a probationary suspension of 2 years and the other to 6 months imprisonment with a probationary suspension of 2 years.

The couple fled during the deliberation, they are wanted

The six adults were tried on November 6, by the Béziers Criminal Court: a 44-year-old man was sentenced to 5 years in prison, including 6 months suspended and his wife, aged 41, to 4 years of prison including 1 year suspended.

They also received a fine of 7,000 euros each and a stay ban in Occitania for five years.

The couple, says the prosecutor, fled during the deliberation.

An arrest warrant has been issued against them, they are actively sought.

Finally, three other members of the family were sentenced by the criminal court to 30 months in prison, including 12 suspended sentences and 1,500 euros fine, 1 year in prison and 1,000 euros fine and 3 years in prison, including 11 months suspended.

All convicted persons also have an obligation to compensate the victims.

A sixth person will be tried on February 5, 2021, with his trial having been postponed for medical reasons.

Miscellaneous

Loire-Atlantique: The gendarmerie is looking for the victims of thefts committed in Carquefou

Toulouse

Toulouse: The burglar drops his (compromising) cap while fleeing

  • Justice

  • Languedoc-Roussillon

  • Burglary

  • Beziers