Nine years in prison for knife-wielding burglar

Aaron Evangelou was discovered inside the property in Cutenhoe Road, Luton, after the occupants were awoken by noises downstairs during the incident in August last year.

When confronted, Evangelou produced a knife and threatened the victim as part of his efforts to escape. 

A rucksack left at the scene, the contents of which included two mobile phones and a screwdriver, enabled detectives from Bedfordshire Police's Operation Maze burglary team to identify Evangelou as responsible for the break-in. 

He was also captured on CCTV running away from the address. 

The 36-year-old of Strathmore Avenue, Luton, was found guilty of aggravated burglary, and was sentenced on Monday (12 February) at Huntingdon Law Courts.  

Operation Maze's Detective Constable Pawel Karpinski, who led the investigation, said: "Evangelou's actions reveal his dangerous nature and willingness to use violence to achieve his goals.

"Our specialist burglary unit will continue to use every resource at our disposal to apprehend anyone who chooses a path of crime and endangers the safety and wellbeing of our communities."