A masked burglar who threatened a family with knives during an early morning home invasion has been jailed. 

Rogel Dumitru, 20, of Mayplace Road East in Bexleyheath, was one of four men who went to a house near Luton Road in Chatham on September 8 last year armed with bladed weapons, wearing gloves and with their faces obscured by masks or balaclavas.   

They gained entry to the house then woke the family up, threatened them and assaulted one of them.  

The thugs then stole two watches and two phones before fleeing the property. 

Detective Constable Dan Bister said: “This was a premeditated crime during which a family were terrorised in their own home.  

“The threats with weapons will have left a lasting impact on the victims and those responsible should be ashamed of their actions.” 

The gang were rumbled due to a mask found near the crime scene contained DNA belonging to Dumitru. 

Enquiries revealed Dumitru had travelled from Bexleyheath to Chatham and that he had also been in contact with accomplices on Ion Vasile, Denis Calin and Robert Maytum.  

All four men were arrested later that month.  

Vasile, Maytum and Dumitru pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary whilst Calin was convicted of burglary following a trial. 

Left to right: Ion Vasile, Denis Calin and Robert Maytum Left to right: Ion Vasile, Denis Calin and Robert Maytum (Image: Kent Police) On Monday (August 12) Dumitru was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison by a judge at Woolwich Crown Court. 

The other three had already been sentenced in June to. Their sentences were: 

  • Vasile, 22, of Boxley Road in Maidstone, was jailed for eight years and five months.  
  • Maytum, 36, of Great South Avenue in Chatham, was jailed for seven years and two months.  
  • Calin, 20, of Albany Road in Chatham, was jailed for seven years.  

Rogel DumitruRogel Dumitru (Image: Kent Police) Detective Constable Bister said: “Dumitru played a significant part in this appalling crime and is now joining the three other offenders in prison.” 

He added: “A meticulous investigation ensured the main culprits were identified, swiftly arrested and are now starting lengthy prison sentences. 

“I would like to thank the victims and other witnesses who assisted our investigation and ensured these violent criminals are no longer a threat to other Medway households.”