Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak was the target of a group of thieves who made a series of high-value breakouts, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The Swedish international’s Northumberland home was damaged in April last year, police confirmed a car was stolen from the property and was then found abandoned in nearby Distington.
Jurors were told Isak was considered the third victim of the gang, which had stole jewelry and clothes worth more than £1 million from local merchants.
The court heard three members of the same family living in Italy confessed to conspiracy to commit a burglary. But fourth place, Valentino Nikolov, 32, denied the charge and is under trial.
Prosecutor Dan Cordey said the alleged gang arrived in the UK from the Calais ferry in a Citroen C3 and Ford RV in March.
Cody said they did it for London before they drove to northeast England a few days later.
News of the break-in surfaced a few days after the incident, after the striker defeated Fulham at Craven Cottage.
According to the Sun, the gang targeted Isaac’s home around 10 p.m. last Thursday.
Police responded that a police helicopter was dispatched but the invaders fled the scene.
Prosecutors claim that the first theft occurred at the home of Helen and Michael McCardell in Newcastle on March 30, and the couple is on vacation.
Prosecutors said the gang stole her medals, totaling more than £1 million, in addition to clothes, jewelry, gold coins and handbags.
The group is also responsible for a raid in Sunderland, where designers’ clothing, jewelry and cash were stolen, worth more than £100,000, prosecutors said.
Valentino Nikolov, Tew Park Road, Birmingham, was on his own behalf to attend the trial and needed an Italian interpreter.
Jurors were told that his brother Giacomo Nikolov, 28, his sister Jela Jovanoic, 43, and her son Charlie Jovanovic, 23 (all of whom reside in Italy) – have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft.
The experiment continues.
