An investigation by officers of Tirana Police Station No. 6 and the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office has uncovered an alleged burglary scheme in which a 26-year-old man is accused of helping organize the theft of his uncle’s home while attending a family birthday celebration with him.
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On Thursday, the Tirana Court, following a request from prosecutor Petrit Vukaj, imposed the security measure “arrest in prison” on the three arrested suspects: Leonardo Sinani, Mark Hila and Kleand Tomja. A fourth suspect, Antonio Budini, from Lezhë, has been declared wanted.
Burglary Allegedly Planned During Family Celebration
According to information reported by journalist Elton Qyno, the victim, Durim Sinani, a butcher by profession, went on the evening of August 14, 2026, to a venue in the village of Ibë, Tirana, to celebrate his wife's birthday.
Among the family members and friends invited to the celebration was his nephew, Leonardo Sinani.
Investigators allege that while Leonardo was present at the family gathering, he was simultaneously coordinating a plan to burglarize his uncle's home.
According to the investigation, he allegedly involved his friends Kleand Tomja, Mark Hila and Antonio Budini, providing them with information about the house and instructions regarding their movements.
Security Cameras Stopped Working
Durim Sinani told police that while he was at the celebration, he noticed on his phone that the security cameras at his home had stopped working.
He reportedly became concerned after one camera showed an individual outside the home's gate, but initially believed there might not be a serious problem.
The family returned home at around 1:00 a.m., where they allegedly discovered that the house had been broken into.
Several rooms, particularly on the second and third floors, had been ransacked. Two interior doors had reportedly been forced open, with their locks damaged.
Drawers had been pulled out and searched, belongings were scattered across the floor, and jewelry boxes were found empty.
Cash and Gold Jewelry Reportedly Stolen
According to Durim Sinani's statement to police, the stolen property included cash belonging to both his family and his business, as well as jewelry belonging to him and his son.
He told investigators that approximately 27 million old lek had been taken, along with gold watches, bracelets and necklaces valued at around 5 million lek.
The burglars also allegedly stole the home's external security-camera DVR, apparently attempting to remove evidence of their movements.
However, two additional cameras inside the residence were equipped with memory cards. According to the victim's statement, footage from those cameras showed three masked individuals wearing gloves entering the house and searching the rooms.
Family Members Reportedly Noticed Suspicious Behavior
Investigators also questioned Durim Sinani's son, who reportedly described what he considered suspicious behavior by his cousin Leonardo.
According to his statement, Leonardo allegedly asked questions about whether anyone would remain at the house before the family left for the birthday celebration, including whether the home would be empty.
The son also reportedly said that during the drive to the restaurant, Leonardo spent much of the journey messaging on his phone.
At the celebration, he allegedly continued using his phone and repeatedly went outside. At several points, according to the statement, he drove away from the venue and later returned.
The family member reportedly told investigators that Leonardo left the celebration at around 10:45 p.m.
Investigators Link His Departure to the Burglary
According to the prosecution's case, Leonardo Sinani's movements during the celebration and his alleged communications with the other suspects form part of the evidence connecting him to the burglary.
Investigators allege that after leaving the family gathering, Sinani coordinated with the three other men, who allegedly entered his uncle's home and stole the cash and jewelry.
The investigation remains ongoing, while the suspects will face the judicial process over the allegations. The charges and accusations remain subject to the court proceedings and the presumption of innocence.