Breaks house arrest and commits five burglaries, 23-year-old arrested in Tirana

A 23-year-old identified by the initials K. M. has been arrested by the Tirana Police during the operation codenamed “HIJA”, after allegedly carrying out a series of burglaries in the capital while he was supposed to remain at home.

Although he was under the security measure of “house arrest”, the young man allegedly left his residence secretly and is suspected of having stolen from five different businesses between August 14 and 22.

He was apprehended by officers from Police Station No. 1 in Skanderbeg Square, where a quantity of suspected cannabis sativa was also found and seized during a physical search.

Security camera footage from one of the targeted premises showed how the masked young man managed to open cash registers, fill bags with money and products, and slip through narrow gaps in the doors to escape without leaving a trace.

As part of ongoing operations against property crimes, the Tirana Police also concluded operation “Reaction”. During the operation, officers from Police Station No. 4 arrested Sh. J., 31, who had allegedly violently stolen two necklaces from a woman on Saraçëve Street. Both stolen necklaces were found and seized by the police as material evidence.

Statement from the State Police:

“Tirana/Two operations to solve theft cases concluded in the past 24 hours. Operation ‘HIJA’/Broke the security measure of ‘house arrest’ and committed thefts at 5 businesses during the past week; 23-year-old arrested. Operation ‘REACTION’/Violently stole 2 necklaces from a female citizen; 31-year-old arrested. The 2 stolen necklaces and a quantity of suspected cannabis sativa were seized.

As a result of the investigative and operational actions carried out immediately after reports were filed and information was received about cases of theft of property/assets, the officers of Police Station No. 1 and Police Station No. 4, within 24 hours, concluded 2 operations to bring the perpetrators of 6 theft cases to criminal responsibility. Specifically: -As part of the operation codenamed ‘HIJA’, officers from Police Station No. 1 apprehended and arrested K. M., 23, who is suspected of having stolen money and products from 5 businesses during the period 14.08.2026–22.08.2026.

Further checks revealed that this citizen was under the security measure of ‘house arrest’ for the same criminal activity. When he was apprehended in Skanderbeg Square, police officers found and seized a quantity of suspected cannabis sativa. -As part of the operation codenamed ‘REACTION’, officers from Police Station No. 4 apprehended and arrested Sh. J., 31, who is suspected of having violently stolen 2 necklaces from a female citizen on Saraçëve Street. The 2 stolen necklaces were seized as material evidence. The procedural materials were referred to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office for further action,” the Police said.