On the run, Irish traveller thought to be behind fresh wave of break-ins by ‘burglary squad’ targeting wealthy homeowners
James Dooley, a convicted burglar who escaped from an open prison, is suspected of having links to a fresh series of break-ins targeting wealthy homes in north London and Hertfordshire. A former Met detective says the alleged gang’s methods resemble those used by Dooley’s former crew, and argues the similarities warrant investigation; he has not accused Dooley of being responsible.
Dooley was sentenced to six years and three months in August 2025 for three burglaries and pleaded guilty to two attempted burglaries. He was reported missing from HMP Hollesley Bay on 24 February and remains at large, according to Suffolk Police. The article says a suspected network of Irish Travellers, operating in teams and using stolen cars with false number plates, has been linked to nearly 50 break-ins since September.
- James Dooley remains at large after escaping an open prison.
- Nearly 50 break-ins have been linked to a suspected gang.
- A former detective says the methods resemble Dooley’s former crew.
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Open prisons allow some prisoners to serve part of their sentence in less restrictive conditions, with the aim of preparing them for release. James Dooley, an Irish Traveller convicted of burglary, was serving a sentence at HMP Hollesley Bay when he was reported missing in February.
Police and the courts deal with burglary through investigations, charges and trials; suspicion or a reported link does not establish that someone took part. In this case, a former detective has pointed to similarities between recent break-ins and methods associated with Dooley’s former crew, while saying those similarities should be investigated.
The reported break-ins have targeted wealthy homes across north London and Hertfordshire. The article describes a suspected network working in teams and using stolen cars with false number plates, and says nearly 50 break-ins have been linked to it since September.