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Cross-dressing jewel thief gets 10 years

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LONDON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A man who donned women's clothing to serve as a decoy in a series of jewelry store robberies in Britain was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Vasile Bogdan, 35, who pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit robbery, was sentenced Thursday to serve 10 years in jail for his part in at least five incidents, The Guardian reported Thursday.

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Police said Bogdan would dress in women's clothing to gain access to the jewelry stores and would be followed into the shops by two men, often seen carrying sledgehammers.

Investigators said the gang made off with $93,330 in gold jewelry during a January heist at a London store, and the incident was followed by two December robberies -- one involving the theft of $544,425 worth of jewelry -- and a foiled attempt at a Birmingham, England, store.

Bogdan was arrested when a shop owner chased him down following an incident at a London store in January.

"They are clearly highly organized and put preparation and planning into each offense," Detective Inspector Ralf Kirchel said of the gang.

He said police are working to track down the other suspects.

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