A man who stole lead from six churches - causing criminal damage of more than £186,000 and leaving communities ‘significantly out of pocket’ – was snared thanks to phone data, ANPR and DNA from a cigarette end.
Petre Romeo Cazan, from London, targeted churches across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and East Hampshire.
The 42-year-old stole lead from isolated churches during the hours of darkness between June and October 2016, Cambridge Crown Court heard.
Cazan climbed up drainpipes to access the church roofs before throwing the lead down to the ground.
From here, the lead was moved into a van or other vehicle waiting nearby and transported away.
On some occasions, Cazan would return on subsequent nights to remove the remaining lead, the court heard.
Not only was lead stolen during the offences but considerable damage was also caused to the structure of the church roofs and stonework, leaving ‘communities significantly out of pocket’.
Cazan’s crime spree began at 9pm on June 13 2016 when he targeted All Saints Church in Marsworth, Hertfordshire.
More than a fifth of the church’s lead had been stolen from the roof, with repair costs estimated at £40,000.
Cazan was linked to the crime after his phone was traced to within 2km of the offence location, and his car was caught nearby on an ANPR camera at 3.40am.
The following day, a payment for scrap metal of £1,351 was paid into Cazan’s bank account, the court heard.
On June 16, Cazan targeted All Saints Church in East Meon, East Hampshire, and stole lead covering the 60ft by 40ft roof.
He was again traced to the crime through phone cell site data and ANPR cameras.
His phone location was also traced to London Scrap Metal Recycling and a payment of £2,215 from the recycling depot was paid into Cazan’s account.
On June 17 and 18, Cazan stole lead from All Saints Church in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire – causing £15,000 of damage.
His phone location on the night was traced to the same area and his car was again seen nearby on ANPR. Cazan then received further scrap metal payments totalling £1,600.
Overnight on June 20 and 21 2016, Cazan targeted churches in Cambridgeshire for the first time – stealing lead from the roof of St Laurence Church in Foxton.
Not content with stealing from the church once, Cazan returned again on October 14 and stole even more lead. His vehicle was abandoned at the scene with lead on board after it became stuck.
ANPR caught Cazan’s vehicle on the A10 before committing the lead theft, the court heard.
Cazan was also linked to the crime after leaving behind a cigarette end on the roof of church, later traced to him through his DNA. His fingerprint was recovered from the door of the van.
On July 6 and 7, lead was stolen from St Michaels Church in Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire – with an estimated loss of £38,000.
Cazan gained entry by lifting the gates to the adjacent cricket club playing field and removing grave stones so his van could access the site.
He was linked to this offence after cell site data traced his phone to within 2km of the location at 4am. Cazan then sold the lead as scrap metal for £2,369.
Overnight on July 11 and 12 two churches, 14 miles apart, both suffered theft of lead from the roof.
Holy Trinity Church in Meldreth, Royston, had lead stolen and damage of £30,000 caused. St John the Baptist Church in, Cottered, Hertfordshire, had lead stolen and had damage caused totalling an estimated £13,000.
Cazan then sold the lead for £2,528 to a scrap metal firm.
He was arrested in November 2016 and denied the offences, claiming he had sold his van after being stopped by the police the previous December.
However, Cazan was found guilty of seven charges of theft and seven charges of criminal damage after his trial went ahead in his absence at Cambridge Crown Court from February 11.
He was sentenced at the same court today (March 8), where he was handed a total of seven years and six months in prison.
DC Tom Nuttall, who investigated the case with DI Richard Ryan, said: “This type of crime is not victimless and we treat it extremely seriously due to the devastation it can have on churches and the local communities.
“We are committed to catching those responsible for heritage crimes, including lead thefts, and also disrupting the market that is driving the crime.
“It is also important that members of the public keep their eyes open to any suspicious behaviour, particularly around isolated locations at night.
“If they see anything untoward, no matter how small, it is vital they report this to us – either online at www.cambs.police.uk/report or via calling 101.
“Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111. If a crime is in progress, always call 999.”
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