'Wimbledon prowler' Asdrit Kapaj faces jail for 21 burglaries on luxury London homes
A burglar dubbed the 'Wimbledon Prowler' is facing years behind bars after admitting stealing more than £500,000-worth of jewellery and valuables in a decade-long reign of terror.
Asdrit Kapaj broke into multi-million pound homes across the affluent suburb in south-west London, even targeting the mansion of tennis legend Boris Becker.
Married father of-two Kapaj, who came to the UK after unrest in his native Kosovo, owned fish and chip shop in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, but drove down to London to carry out his overnight raids.
The 42-year-old, who had no previous convictions, was fastidious, disabling alarms, disguising himself and climbing drainpipes to avoid detection. He even closed windows behind him so victims didn't immediately realise he had struck.
But after he was caught with a snood, a pair of gloves and a torch in February and today admitted being behind 21 burglaries and two attempted burglaries, totalling around £542,000.
Prosecutors have said he probably carried out many more break-ins, with some estimating he may have stolen from as many as 200 homes. On one occasion, he was reportedly chased across a garden by French footballer Nicolas Anelka.
The Prowler struck at night, often shinning up drains or disabling alarm systems
Kingston Crown Court heard jewellery to the value of £371,855 was taken in one single burglary, in February 2017, in a street next to Wimbledon's famous All England Tennis Club.
His haul included a diamond ring and a gold necklace, as well as a dress and thousands of pounds in cash.
Kapaj carried out most of his raids at night, between 7pm and 5am. One of the properties he stole from is worth £7.3million.
Wimbledon Village residents, including 81-year-old victim Philippa Beck, were in court to celebrate his guilty pleas.
Ms Beck, who was the gold watch owner, said she was struck by 'blank amazement' when she learned that the burglar was making a nearly 500-mile round trip to target the area.
His motivation, she suggested, may have been 'a sort of a buzz' rather than a necessity for money.
Laurie Porter, chairwoman of the Wimbledon neighbour watch, said residents are 'sleeping more easily' now the man 'creeping around our gardens and our streets' is in custody.
'I'm thrilled we don't have to worry about this man wandering the streets of Wimbledon Village for the foreseeable future,' she added.
A map shows how the Prowler targeted homes not far from Wimbledon's famous tennis club
The homes of tennis star Boris Becker and football's Nicolas Anelka were among those hit
