Burglar's Discarded Cigarette Butts Land Him in Jail

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Had been responsible for a string of thefts from homes in the area

Mateus Korniluk

A burglar whose speciality was family homes in the process of being renovated has been jailed after discarded cigarette butts led to him being found guilty.

33-year-old Mateus Korniluk of Harley Road, Brent appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, 19 May where, having previously entered a guilty plea, he was jailed for six years for ten burglaries including ones in Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Chiswick and Acton.

He forced entry to the premises and stole power tools and property worth around £61,000.

On Wednesday, 26 June 2019, Korniluk had been seen leaving a residential property at Emlyn Gardens, W12 and attempting to transport two large holdalls which were very full on a bicycle while smoking a cigarette. He had stolen electrical equipment and left his DNA behind on a cigarette butt inside the property.

In the early hours of Wednesday, 5 February this year, Korniluk burgled a home on Flanchford Road, W12 that was undergoing renovations. He stole a variety of power tools belonging to tradesmen. On scaffolding at the rear of the property, he left a holdall that, again, provided his DNA.

On the night of 24 February Korniluk broke into a home in St Peter’s Grove, Hammersmith. He left the address with electrical items, but as before, left behind cigarette butts provided more forensic evidence.

As some point around 4 - 7 October 2019, Korniluk had smashed a basement window to gain entry to a residential property at Drayton Gardens, Kensington. The property was also being refurbished at the time of the incident and Korniluk stole a variety of power tools belonging to tradesmen who had been working at the property. This time he left his DNA behind on a drinks can.

Between December 2019 and April 2020, he broke into premises in Southfield Rd, W4, Valetta Rd, W3, Montgomery Road, W4, Grove Rd, W4, Popes Lane, W3 and Lynton Road, W3.

A manhunt was launched to find Korniluk, which involved officers from West Area Proactive CID, Offender Management Unit, local Neighbourhood Teams and Emergency Response.

On Monday, 20 April officers from the West Area Proactive CID, spotted Korniluk, in Heathfield Road, Acton, where he was chased and detained. The West Area Burglary Team took on all the investigations and presented the case to the Crown Prosecution Service. Faced with overwhelming forensic evidence, Korniluk admitted all offences, including other burglary offences across west London.

Following his arrest, presented with overwhelming forensic evidence, Korniluk admitted the offences.

Detective Sergeant Collins, West Area Burglary and Robbery Team said “This sentence shows how serious our force is about pursuing burglars and bringing them to justice. We will use a wide range of investigative techniques to identify those responsible, ensure they are prosecuted and ultimately spend time behind bars. My dedicated team of officers has the skills, knowledge and experience to take serious offenders like Korniluk off the streets. I hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of crime”

PC Naveed Sulaiman who worked on the case said, “The effects of being a victim of burglary run far deeper and are more long lasting than a loss of property.

“We are very pleased that the sentence reflects the seriousness of these offences and the negative impact that Korniluk’s actions have had on so many victims.”

May 24, 2020