Convicted London gang member arrested in Moldova following manhunt
A notorious gang member who escaped from prison in Turkey while serving a 21-year sentence for offenses in the UK has been arrested. Izzet Eren, 39, a Turkish national, was arrested yesterday (26 May) in Chisinau, Moldova.
Extradition proceedings are under way in Moldova. Eren was imprisoned in the UK in 2015 for firearms offences. While serving his sentence, he was transferred to a prison in Turkey in August 2019 and fled a month later.
In 2016, Izzet Eren created a plot to escape from a prison van as he was being transported from Wormwood Scrubs prison to Wood Green Crown Court. The plan was foiled when armed police ran into their vehicles as they were parked near the North London courthouse. During the operation, an officer shot and killed one of the gang members, Jermaine Baker, 28, of Tottenham.
Eren previously pleaded guilty to multiple offenses after police caught him on a stolen motorbike carrying a loaded pistol in Stamford Hill. Izzet Eren is believed to be a senior member of Tottenham Boys, also known as Tottenham Turks, according to MailOnline.
He went to court last year for the attempted gang assassination of rival Hackney Bombers members and plotted an escape to avoid jail. The members of the rival gangs are all from southern Turkey and are heavily involved in importing heroin.
While the 2016 attempt failed, Eren escaped from prison in Turkey, where he was serving a 21-year sentence. Crime Specialist Commander Fiona Mallon said: “I thank the Moldovan authorities, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service for their assistance in achieving this important result.
“The Metropolitan Police’s Serious Crime Manhunt Team is working around the clock to track down the Met’s ‘Most Wanted’ criminals. In this case, a hugely complex investigation has been launched to determine whereabouts. found Eren, with a wide range of investigative and sensitive intelligence opportunities exploited.
“This arrest sends a clear message to anyone who commits serious crimes in London: if you run away, we will locate you and bring you to justice.”