A gang of burglars targeted the home of Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, stealing his car, cash, and jewellery worth £68,000 ($87,000), a court in England heard on Wednesday.
Isak was not at his Northumberland residence when the burglary took place in April last year, Newcastle Crown Court was told.
Prosecutors detailed how the thieves broke into the Swedish international’s property and made off with valuables, including his Audi vehicle, which was later recovered.
Organised criminal operation
The court heard that the burglary was part of a series of high-value thefts committed by the gang in the days leading up to the raid on Isak’s home.
Before targeting the footballer, they had stolen over £1 million worth of jewellery and designer goods from a businesswoman, as well as valuables worth £100,000 from another victim.
Three members of the gang, all from the same family and based in Italy, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
However, a fourth suspect, Valentino Nikolov, 32, has denied the charges.
Prosecuting counsel Dan Cordey explained that Isak left his home between 4pm and 10pm on April 4, only to return and find his property ransacked.
“They took between £5,000 and £10,000 in cash, jewellery worth around £68,000, and his Audi vehicle, which was later found abandoned,” Cordey told the jury.
The burglars reportedly gained entry by breaking through a glass door leading to the footballer’s TV room before searching the house for valuables.
International crime gang
The prosecution described the gang as a “professional group of travelling criminals” consisting of three men and one woman, all related.
“Two men and one woman have pleaded guilty to their involvement,” Cordey stated, identifying the remaining suspect as Nikolov, who is representing himself in court and requires an Italian interpreter.
According to investigators, the gang arrived in the UK in March via a ferry from Calais to Dover, using a motorhome as their base.
Nikolov’s brother, Giacomo Nikolov, 28, their sister, Jela Jovanovic, 43, and her son, Charlie Jovanovic, 23, have all admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary.
Isak’s focus on the pitch
Despite the off-field incident, Isak has been in outstanding form for Newcastle this season, scoring 22 goals across all competitions under Eddie Howe.
His focus remains on football, with Newcastle preparing to face Liverpool in the League Cup final at Wembley on March 16.
