Three jailed for running car chop shop

Three men are behind bars after police uncovered a secret workshop in Lakenheath where stolen cars were stripped and their parts shipped off.

Officers found two BMWs and a Mercedes being dismantled inside an agricultural building during a raid, and arrested all three men behind the operation.

Zilvinas Galinis, 35, of Lopham Road, East Harling, Mantas Zidonis, 25, of Undley, Lakenheath, and Lukas Slenys, 26, of Undley, Lakenheath, were all arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre, where they were subsequently charged.

The three men were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday 13 April. Galinis and Zidonis were sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment, while Slenys was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment.

Following the sentencing, PC Mike Spurling said: “These three individuals played their part in a highly sophisticated organised crime group that have been involved in the dismantling thousands of pounds worth of stolen vehicles.

“Whilst carrying out their crime, there has been no consideration to the victims who have not only lost their vehicles but also the inconvenience that this has caused them.

“We will continue to work tenaciously to ensure that individuals involved in this type of criminality are dealt with robustly and brought to justice.”