Lampards raided by £1m gems gang targeting rich
John Twomey
A GANG targeting the rich and famous has raided the home of Chelsea manager Frank Lampard and his TV presenter wife Christine.
The burglars are also believed to have stolen more than £1million in valuables from the mansion of the late Leicester FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
That raid in Knightsbridge, central London, came fewer than two weeks after a similar break-in at the Lampards’ home in nearby Chelsea.
It is understood the thieves fled with jewellery and other valuables worth £60,000 from Frank and Christine, both 41, who have a toddler daughter.
The burglaries happened in December and details have only just emerged.
They are being investigated by Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad. CCTV footage from inside and outside both houses is believed to be a key part of the inquiry.
The gang raided ex-England midfielder Lampard’s house on
December 1. It is the fourth time he has been burgled. Ten days later, the thieves broke into the former home of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha.
The mansion is said to have been left as a shrine to the tycoon since his death in a helicopter crash outside Leicester’s ground in October 2018.
A source said: “Vichai’s family are understandably very upset.
“His house was totally ransacked and a lot of precious and sentimental items were taken. The thieves have effectively desecrated his spirit.” None of the items stolen during either of the burglaries have been recovered.
Police are apparently working on the assumption that Vichai’s house and the Lampards were targeted. The Thai billionaire owned Leicester when they won the Premier League in 2016.
His death devastated his family and left Leicester City fans distraught. Two members of
Mr Vichai’s staff – Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai – died in the crash as well as pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Lechowicz, also a qualified pilot.
Thousands of Leicester supporters, many holding Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s photo, took part in a memorial walk to mark the first anniversary of their deaths last October.
Yesterday, fans took to social media to express their disgust at the thieves.
Valerie Williams wrote: “What Vichai’s family have done for Leicester.
“It’s disbelief the scum that are around. I feel saddened for his sons and wife.”