Couple who stole £165k items from jeweller jailed

A couple who stole £165,000 worth of items from a jeweller's home in an "audacious" burglary have been jailed.

Luis Alberto Camargo Bolivar and his wife Jenny Suarez Rodriguez used a crowbar to enter the victim's apartment in Harrogate at 09:30 GMT on 18 December 2025 before using a shopping trolley to move a safe from the flat to their car.

The pair, who are from Colombia but were living in Caledonia Road in Batley, West Yorkshire, were tracked by police to an Airbnb booked under a false name and arrested.

Both pleaded guilty to burglary and Bolivar, 47, was jailed for two years and eight months, while Rodriguez, 48, was jailed for two years and four months at York Crown Court on Wednesday.

The couple broke into the flat shortly after the victim had left, the court heard.

Among the items they removed were a £70,000 Patek Phillipe watch, Louis Vuitton suitcases and cash.

Items of sentimental value, including a pendant with angel wings which was a memento from the victim's grandfather, were also taken.

The jeweller returned home at 16:30 to find "his flat had been broken into, his rooms searched, his safe taken and his valuable luggage and other items taken," prosecutor Adam Walker said.

After being arrested just after midnight the day after the burglary, Bolivar handed police a pillowcase containing some of the stolen items and said: "I'm guilty but not my wife."

The court heard police found other items used for burglary including latex gloves and a balaclava.

All the stolen items were recovered but the court heard the thefts had had a "substantial and emotional" impact on the victim.

Defence barrister Ashleigh Metcalfe said the couple wanted to return to Colombia as soon as they were released from their inevitable prison sentences.

Judge Simon Hickey described the raid on the jeweller's home as an "audacious, highly planned and professional burglary".

"Your professionalism is demonstrated by the fact that not only were you equipped with a crowbar and a motor car, but you had a shopping trolley to remove the safe downstairs via the lift to your car," he said.

"You say you both want to return to Colombia as soon as possible. I sincerely hope the secretary of state will grant your wish as soon as possible."

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