Three men wanted in connection with burglary at England star’s home
Police are hunting for three men suspected of being linked to a burglary at Raheem Sterling’s home.
Surrey Police are looking for Albanian nationals Alfred Isufi, 48, Gerard Kalaja, 22, and Henri Osmani, 44, after the break-in at the England star’s mansion last year while he was in Qatar for the World Cup.
Detectives investigating a spate of raids want to question the men over 33 burglaries throughout Surrey, Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire. DI James Ansell said: “Investigating burglary dwellings is a priority for Surrey Police and we will be relentless in pursing these offenders.”
Around £1m of belongings are believed to have been stolen during the break-ins, including at Sterling’s Surrey home.
In December, police said the 27-year-old Chelsea forward’s property was raided by burglars for jewellery and watches while no one was in.
He returned to the UK from the World Cup in Qatar to comfort his family, who are said to have been left shaken by the crime. Burglars stole a “number of items” from the footballer’s home near Leatherhead, with family members realising there had been a break-in when they got home.
Sterling missed England’s 3-0 win over Senegal during the tournament before returning for the quarter-final defeat against France. The FA offered to increase security at the England players’ homes following the burglary.
On Thursday, a trial date was set for a 23-year-old man charged in connection with the break-in.
Emiliano Krosi, of Southend-on-Sea, appeared at Guildford Crown Court to face 33 counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.
Judge Rufus Taylor adjourned the case for a plea hearing on November 3 and scheduled a two-week trial to start on February 14.
Several high-profile Premier League stars have been targeted by gangs while they have been away on duty with their teams.
In 2021, Manchester City defender João Cancelo was left with facial injuries after confronting a gang who broke into his home and took jewellery.
Chelsea’s Reece James had a safe stolen containing several medals from his home in Surrey in the same year.
Liverpool midfielder Fabinho’s home was burgled and car stolen while he celebrated the team’s Premier League win in 2021.
In 2019, a machete-wielding gang broke into Leicester City star Demarai Gray’s home and threatened his girlfriend, who was with their newborn child.
