Prolific Sandwell burglar jailed for 13 years after targeting pensioners in numerous thefts across the West Midlands
A distraction burglar has been jailed for 13 years after a forensic match six years after the crime led to his arrest.
Shakele Zaid claimed he worked for the council and needed to check window seals but instead stole from the man and woman in their 60s and 70s.
Zaid and an accomplice had targeted an address in Cradley Heath on the afternoon of December 13, 2017.
It came just six weeks after the windows had been replaced and the pair also donned hard hats and fluorescent jackets to deceive the victim.
Once inside the address, they searched the woman and one of them punched and stamped on the man. They then fled with a watch, other jewellery and cash.
A forensic hit on a fingerprint left on a notepad led to West Midlands Police identifying Zaid – who was already serving a prison term for theft related offences - as one of the men involved.
Zaid also pleaded guilty to a separate count of robbery after a man was grabbed and pushed over on Two Gates Lane, Dudley, on June 24, 2024, just after midnight.
The victim in his 70s, had money and a bus pass taken from his pockets as he lay injured.
He subsequently appeared in court charged with both robberies and was convicted of the Cradley Heath crime following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Zaid was also convicted of 21 counts of shop theft after pleading guilty and a further three robberies relating to shop thefts after making threats to shop staff.
The 40-year-old, of no fixed address was jailed for a further 13 years on Friday, February 13 at Birmingham Crown Court.
Detective Constable Bobby Khan, who led on the case, said: “We often see vulnerable and elderly people targeted during distraction burglaries and Zaid did exactly that.
“He not only stole from the man and woman but was also part of an unprovoked and senseless assault on an innocent person, and stealing from him as he lay on the floor injured.
“Thanks to the fingerprint match all these years later Zaid will now serve even more time behind bars for his crimes, and I hope this offers the victim in this case some comfort that he’s been dealt with for his actions.
“I hope this result also shows the public that if evidence does come to light around cases we’re investigating even years later, we will continue to fight to bring those responsible to justice.
“I want to remind anyone reading this, that have elderly or vulnerable family members, neighbours, or friends who live alone to remind them of being wary against distraction burglars and if they ever feel threatened to call 999 immediately.”
