In a case that reads like a script from a comedy crime caper, a serial offender has been jailed after burgling Damien Hirst's studio while wearing the very device meant to monitor his movements - a GPS tag.
Lorenzo Simon, 25, thought he'd pulled off the perfect crime when he broke into the world-renowned artist's workspace in Loughborough Junction, south London, under cover of darkness. What he failed to consider was that the electronic monitoring tag strapped to his ankle would provide police with a perfect digital footprint of his illegal activities.
The audacious burglary occurred in the early hours of November 3rd last year, when Simon forced his way into the studio complex and made off with several signed prints by the celebrated British artist, whose works regularly sell for millions at auction.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police quickly connected Simon to the crime after reviewing GPS data from his electronic tag, which placed him at the scene during the exact window of the burglary.
A Pattern of Criminal Behaviour
Simon, of no fixed address, was already subject to monitoring for previous offences when he decided to target one of Britain's most famous artistic establishments. The court heard how his electronic tag provided incontrovertible evidence of his movements throughout the night of the burglary.
At Inner London Crown Court, Simon admitted to the burglary and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. The judge described the offence as "particularly brazen" given he was already under court-ordered supervision.
Not the First Artistic Target
This wasn't Simon's first foray into targeting the art world. The court was told he had previously stolen from another artist's studio in Camberwell, demonstrating a pattern of specifically targeting creative spaces.
Detective Constable Jack Paynter, who led the investigation, commented: "The evidence in this case was overwhelming, not least because Simon was wearing a GPS tag that placed him at the scene. This should serve as a warning to other offenders who are subject to court orders - we will use every tool at our disposal to bring you to justice."
The case highlights both the effectiveness of electronic monitoring in solving crimes and the ongoing vulnerability of artistic institutions to targeted burglaries, even those associated with globally recognised figures like Damien Hirst.
