Thief found asleep in car with 90 stolen items

David Gabryelski was sentenced to two years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to a range of charges

A prolific thief who was found by police asleep in the back of a car surrounded by a stash of stolen items has been jailed.

David Gabryelski, 21, of no fixed address, targeted two businesses in Peterborough and 17 vehicles in Cambridge in less than a fortnight.

He pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and theft charges at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.

PC Edward Hyde said: "Gabryelski's offending caused havoc for the residents of Cambridge and business owners in Peterborough."

Gabryelski's crime spree began on 26 August 2024, when he stole a till and charity box from a takeaway in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

He damaged a neighbouring business's CCTV before heading to Cambridge, where he broke into a garage in Missleton Court on 2 September, stealing two bicycles.

Over the next few days, he stole a car from Blinco Grove and another from Verulam Way, as well as breaking into 15 vehicles to steal mobile phones, power banks, cash, sunglasses and a bank card.

Officers found him on 5 September in a parked car which had been reported stolen five days earlier, surrounded by about 90 stolen items.

Gabryelski pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of criminal damage and 17 counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

PC Hyde said: "I hope that Gabryelski being jailed will bring closure to those affected by these terrible crimes and show the public how seriously we treat burglaries and theft."