Prolific Cambridge thief jailed

David Gabryelski has been sent to prison for more than two years

Author: Jon BurkePublished 11th Sep 2025

A prolific thief, who went on a stealing spree, has been jailed for more than two years.

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

He first struck a takeaway in Lincoln Road, Peterborough, on 26 August last year, where he stole the till and charity box.

He also damaged a CCTV camera belonging to a neighbouring business premises.

The rest of his spree was carried out in Cambridge, where Gabryelski broke into a garage in Missleton Court and stole two bicycles on 2 September.

One was found by a member of the public two days later.

On the same evening, Gabryelski, cycled to St Bede’s Gardens where he smashed the window of a parked car and stole a bag from inside.

The next day, he stole a car from Blinco Grove and another from Verulam Way, which was later found abandoned with its windows smashed.

Over a few days, Gabryelski broke into 15 vehicles where he stole a number of items including mobile phones, power banks, cash, sunglasses and a bank card.

However, on 5 September officers came across a parked car which had been reported as stolen five days before.

They found Gabryelski asleep on the back seat surrounded with a stash of about 90 stolen items.

Last month, Gabryelski admitted to two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, two counts of criminal damage and 15 counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

At Cambridge Crown Court on 5 September Gabryelski was handed a prison sentence of two years and three months.

PC Edward Hyde, who investigated, said: “Gabryelski’s offending caused havoc for the residents of Cambridge and business owners in Peterborough.

“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.”

For advice on burglary prevention please click here

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