Romanian thieves are nabbed on raid at Tower of London after heist plan at Traitors' Gate moat

The four Romanian men were caught after a member of the public raised the alarm. They later pleaded guilty to stealing from Traitor’s Gate moat.

17:59 10 February 2015

Four Romanian men were nabbed following a raid at Tower of London before pleaded guilty to stealing £350 in coins from Traitors' Gate moat.

Reports confirmed that they clambered over a barrier and jumped into the moat to retrieve the coins that were thrown in by London tourists.

While attempting to escape, a member of the public took notice and raised the alarm. The looters were later apprehended by the staff and army personnel of Tower of London. They were charged with theft.

The looters, Ieronim Cancel, 24, Albert Pruteanu, 19, and Tarciziu Cancel and Istoc Ionut, both 22, pleaded guilty to theft at Thames Magistrates’ Court. They were each given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay victim surcharges of £16.

Yesterday PC Lee Juniper, from Limehouse Police Station, said: ‘It was a privilege to return the donated money to the Royal British Legion.

‘The officers who assisted in the arrest of the four men were new recruits, on their very first day out in Tower Hamlets.’

Each year, millions of tourists visit the notorious gate where prisoners such as Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane entered the tower. Several visitors throw in loose change into the moat.