The State Police in Durrës have successfully concluded a long-running investigation into a series of car thefts that had troubled several neighborhoods in the coastal city. The operation, codenamed “Reflex”, led to the identification and arrest of a 37-year-old suspect from Tirana, accused of breaking into vehicles and stealing valuable items.
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| Police officers escorting the thief in Durrës Police Station |
Authorities say the man would frequently circulate through various neighborhoods on a bicycle, using it as cover to approach parked vehicles without drawing suspicion. Once he identified a target, he allegedly smashed the car windows to gain access and steal whatever valuable items were inside. These typically included cash, laptops, and personal belongings left inside by the vehicle owners.
After each theft, police say the suspect would use his personal car to transport and hide the stolen goods in different areas of the city. This calculated behavior made him difficult to track, but thanks to coordinated investigative work, the police were able to link several of the thefts to the same individual.
The Investigation Behind Operation “Reflex”
The operation was part of a broader effort by Albanian law enforcement to combat property crime and increase public safety in urban areas. Officers from the Durrës Police Commissariat, supported by the local Prosecutor’s Office, launched Operation “Reflex” after receiving multiple complaints from residents in neighborhoods no. 6, 8, and 12 of Durrës — all reporting a similar pattern of thefts involving broken car windows.
Investigators meticulously analyzed video footage from security cameras in those neighborhoods, tracing the suspect’s movements and identifying his distinctive pattern of operating with a bicycle. Based on this evidence, plainclothes officers set up surveillance in areas where he was likely to strike again.
Their patience paid off: during one of his attempted thefts, police officers intervened and arrested the suspect in flagrante delicto — that is, caught in the act.
Five Confirmed Thefts, More Under Investigation
Preliminary investigations have confirmed that V.K. is the author of five separate thefts, committed against individuals identified as Xh.B., J.B., S.Q., L.K., and Xh.M. In these incidents, the suspect allegedly stole money, laptops, and various personal items from their vehicles.
However, police believe this is only part of his criminal activity. Investigators suspect he may have been involved in other similar thefts that occurred in previous months. The ongoing collaboration with the Prosecutor’s Office of the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Durrës aims to uncover and document these additional crimes with solid legal evidence.
Police officials emphasized that efforts are continuing to identify and recover the stolen items, as well as determine whether the suspect had any accomplices or connections to other theft cases in the region.
A Message from the Durrës Police
In their public statement, the Durrës Police urged citizens to remain vigilant and to avoid leaving valuables inside vehicles, especially in visible places. They also encouraged residents to report any suspicious individuals or activities in their neighborhoods immediately to the local police.
The successful conclusion of Operation “Reflex” demonstrates the police’s growing reliance on modern investigative methods, such as the use of surveillance cameras and real-time operational intelligence. Authorities noted that this case highlights the importance of community cooperation in preventing property crime and ensuring safety in public spaces.
As the investigation continues, the police reiterated their commitment to bringing to justice anyone involved in thefts or other criminal activities in Durrës and across Albania.
The arrest of the 37-year-old suspect marks a significant success for local law enforcement. It underscores the effectiveness of proactive policing and the importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing urban crime. With Operation “Reflex” concluded, authorities in Durrës continue to investigate other potential cases linked to the suspect and are determined to maintain the city’s safety through ongoing vigilance and swift action.