The notorious “Wimbledon Prowler”, who targeted some of Britain’s wealthiest homeowners during a decade-long crime spree, has been released from prison after serving just 40% of his 14-year sentence.
Astrit Kapaj stalked the Wimbledon Village streets at night looking for unoccupied homes and waiting for residents to go to bed before he would strike.
He was jailed for 14 years in 2019 following a string of burglaries which left residents “terrified” of falling victim to the thief.
But he has now reportedly been released from prison after serving just six years of his 14-year sentence, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported Kapaj has returned to his home in Greater Manchester, which he shares with his wife and two children.
Met detectives believed the expert thief may have been behind 200 break-ins over the course of 15 years, and have stolen up to £5 million of goods.
Kapaj attracted the nickname The Wimbledon Prowler after detectives linked break-ins which started in 2006.
His hallmarks included slashed security cameras wires, painting over the lenses, entering the homes through upstairs windows, and wearing a distinctive fishing hat and face covering.
He drove down from his home in Greater Manchester specifically to carry out the raids, and often used residents’ back gardens to move around Wimbledon and stay off roadside security cameras.
Rebecca McIntosh, whose home was raided for priceless jewellery, christening and wedding gifts, told the Daily Mail that learning the 48-year-old had been freed left her “numb”.
“It does seem incredibly unfair that he gets to go back to his normal life,” she said.
“This man was a professional,” she added, “not an opportunist.”
Sentencing Kapaj to 14 years in prison at Kingston Crown Court in 2019, Judge Peter Lodder QC said his operation was “militaristic” and showed him as a “prolific, persistent and professional” burglar.
“Such was your stealth and expertise, in many cases it remains a mystery how you gained entry to their homes”, he said.
“Undetected over the years, and with the intensity of offending in the years 2015 to 2018, it is no surprise you terrified the whole community.”
Retired lawyer Tony Blackler, 78, and his wife Doris, 72, had cash stolen when Kapaj broke into their house in July 2015.
They told The Standard in 2019: “We were worried at the time, and it does make you think sometimes you aren’t safe in your home.”
Mrs Blackler, a former broadcast journalist, said: “I am thankful he never came into our bedroom, and he never hurt us. I have heard he didn’t show any remorse.”
She said she now sleeps with her purse beside her, but added that she has forgiven Kapaj: “I feel sorry for his wife and his children, it is a tragedy for them, they did not know what he was doing, and I don’t know what his reasons were for doing this.”
