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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
John Dunne

Detectives hunt burglars who drugged men and ransacked their homes after Grindr contact

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Holly Newton, who was stabbed to death in Hexham, Northumberland, on Friday (Peter Byrne/PA) (Picture: PA Wire)

Detectives hunting burlars who drugged victims they met through a gay dating app have appealed for any other victims to come forward.

There have been four reported burglaries in which the suspects are believed to have administered a noxious substance in order to ransack homes in Brentford, Hampton, Hounslow and Bromley.

The incidents took place between Saturday, 31 December and 9 January.

The victims were knocked out by an unknown drug and awoke to find they had been burgled.

They have all fully recovered and are working with investigators to bring two suspects to justice.

They identified their victims on Grindr sometimes working as a pair or on their own.

They are described as a black male of large build and a slimmer, tanned white male, both speaking Spanish, who are now believed to have left the country.

A police statement said: “We are engaging with international partners to progress the investigation and locate the suspects, and raise awareness of the suspects’ intentions and criminality.

Detective Superintendent Dan O’Sullivan added:“We believe other victims may have been targeted between the New Year period and on 9 January, however for personal reasons may not have wanted to report it. If you have been a victim, you can report in confidence to us or speak to an officer from the LGBTQ+ community.

“Although the suspects have fled the country and the risk to the community is reduced, we are continuing to engage with our partners and those from LGBT Independent advisory groups.”

If you have been a victim or have information that may help the investigation, please call 101 and reference Operation Cavendish.”

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