Man suspected of being involved in £26 million celebrity burglaries apprehended in Serbia

A man believed to be involved in one of England's largest burglaries has been apprehended in Serbia. The Metropolitan Police stated that he and five other individuals were arrested in Belgrade on charges of money laundering. The man is accused of participating in burglaries at the homes of three celebrities in London in December 2019, where approximately £26 million worth of valuables were stolen. The most significant theft occurred at Tamara Ecclestone's residence, where £25 million worth of jewelry, cash, and other items were taken. The other targeted homes belonged to former Chelsea and England footballer Frank Lampard, as well as the late owner of Leicester City, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. A large portion of the stolen items have never been recovered. Previously, three Italians were sentenced to a combined total of 28 years in prison for their involvement in the conspiracy to burgle. The gang targeted Ecclestone's luxurious home, located on one of the world's most expensive streets near Kensington Palace, while she and her husband were away on a holiday. The burglars swiftly emptied several rooms, stealing hundreds of pieces of jewelry and significant amounts of cash. Authorities launched an international search for a fourth suspect, identified as Daniel Vukovic, who has also been linked to other suspected burglaries in Europe. However, Serbia's High Court denied the extradition request for Vukovic, known as "Ljubomir Romanov," last year. The recent arrests in Belgrade are related to money laundering charges connected to the London burglaries. Currently, there is no information regarding whether the UK authorities will renew their extradition request. According to the extradition treaty signed by Serbia and the UK in December 1900, both countries have the right to refuse extradition for their own citizens.