Formula One Heiress: Gem Thieves Jailed over Record $34m Burglary
November 16, 21
(IDEX Online) - Three gang members have been jailed over the highest-value house burglary in Britain - after they admitted stealing diamonds, jewelry and cash from the Formula One heiress Tamara Ecclestone (pictured).
They made off with valuables worth $34m after targeting her home in Kensington Palace, London, while she and here family were on holiday. Police recovered hundreds of items of jewelry and a discarded safe.
The gang also raided the homes of a retired footballer and the owner of a football club.
Mother-of-two Ecclestone, 37, is a model, socialite, TV personality, and daughter of the Formula One Group former chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.
Her home, bought for $60m in 2011, was targeted despite 24-hour security patrols and extensive surveillance measures.
The three raiders, all Italian citizens, were extradited and appeared at Isleworth Crown Court, London, yesterday.
Jugoslav Jovanovic, 24, Alessandro Maltese, 45, and Alessandro Donati, 44, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle. Jovanovic was jailed for 11 years, Maltese and Donati for eight years and nine months each.
Most of the loot is still missing, as is a fourth gang member, who is the subject of an international manhunt.