Quartet Jailed After Yorkshire Coast Distraction Burglaries

A distraction burglary team from Leeds have been jailed after a number of offences, including in Scarborough and Bridlington.

Two men and two women from Leeds have been jailed for over 26 years in total following a spree of distraction burglaries targeting older and vulnerable people, including in Scarborough and Bridlington.

Levantica Dragusin, 30, of Edgware Street, Harehills, Monika Dumitra, 24, of Edgware Place, Harehills, Ion Paun, 29, of Edgware Place, Harehills, and Zavaian Paun, 32, of Edgware Place, were all jailed at York Crown Court on 22 August 2025.

The group travelled from Leeds into North and East Yorkshire to steal from older and vulnerable people in their 80s and 90s, taking advantage of their trusting and kind nature.

They operated by travelling together by car before the men would drop the women off at their targeted location and the women, dressed in NHS-style clothing, called at the homes of older people posing as trainee doctors, asking for sponsorship to pay for non-existent medical school.

Once inside their victims’ homes, one of the women would ask to “use the toilet”, while the other distracted the victim. Instead of using the toilet they would hunt around the house looking for cash and valuables before leaving with their stolen haul. The men in the group would then pick them up and take them onto their next vulnerable victim.

On 22 May they travelled to Harrogate and stole cash and jewellery from an 85-year-old woman. They then travelled to York where they targeted a man in his 90s using the same scenario. They then returned to Leeds before travelling back to North Yorkshire the following day. This time they went to Scarborough where they preyed on an 87-year-old woman.

However, they were stopped in their tracks thanks to a neighbour who realised that something was not right when he saw the pair calling at his neighbour's home. After seeing them enter her house, he called at the door and challenged the pair, asking them for identification. The pair then left the house empty-handed and fled the scene.

They then went on to target another victim in Bridlington where they stole cash and jewellery from an 89-year-old woman.

However, in the meantime, North Yorkshire Police had been called to the incident in Scarborough and were able to track the defendants’ vehicle to East Yorkshire and passed on the information to Humberside Police whose Roads Policing Officers intercepted their car. On stopping the vehicle, they found all four defendants inside, still in possession of the jewellery and stolen items from the Bridlington burglary.

North Yorkshire Police then led what was a complicated investigation that spanned the UK and Europe back to the defendants’ home country of Romania.

All four have been remanded in custody since they were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary in May 2025, and when faced with overwhelming evidence of their crimes, had no option but to plead guilty.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sam Rivers of Scarborough CID, said:

“This type of crime is one of the most disgusting crimes I have investigated, preying on the kind-heartedness of older, trusting people in a bid to steal their most valuable assets, many of which hold more sentimental value than monetary value, often memories of loves ones.

“Because of these disgraceful people, many victims have been left with a void they cannot fill or they have lost a valuable family heirloom that will now never be passed down to the next generation.

“This type of crime has a devastating impact on older people and many find it difficult to recover from. I really hope these sentences today imposed by the courts can give some peace and closure to the victims who have lost out as a consequence of these deplorable individuals who should hang their heads in shame.

“My thanks go to the neighbour of our Scarborough victim for his vigilance and community spirit when he realised something was not quite right after seeing the defendants calling at his neighbour’s home. His quick actions have stopped them in their tracks and ultimately led to their subsequent arrests. I am very grateful to him.” 

All four were jailed for six years and two months each for conspiracy to burgle, with Levantica Dragusin handed an additional 10 months for a separate burglary. 

Advice and information from North Yorkshire Police about distraction burglary:

'Distraction burglars often pretend to be someone they are not to gain entry to your home.

Common methods used include:

• pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak
• seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water if they claim to be thirsty or unwell
• claiming to be in a hurry or emergency and needing to get into your home quickly
• working in teams, with one person distracting you while the other searches your home
• doorstep sellers

Here’s some key measures you can take to prevent distraction burglary:

• use your door viewer to see who’s there
• if you open the door put the chain on first
• always ask for ID and check it with the company or organisation before letting somebody into your home
• don’t let anyone in your home who you are not expecting, genuine callers will understand
• use the phone number advertised on an official website or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department. Close the door while you do this
• remember that genuine callers won’t mind checks. If you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there
• for pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up
• look out for your older neighbours

Always remember. "If in doubt, keep them out".

If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the caller, please don’t hesitate to call 999 for an emergency response.

Also report any suspicious people or vehicles in your area via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101.

Even the smallest piece of information can prove to be crucial in making arrests and securing justice for victims.'