Gang sentenced over vehicle “chop shop” in Surrey
High-value cars, including Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs were among the stolen vehicles discovered in Cranleigh last year
Five men at the centre of a criminal empire in which they dismantled and exported stolen cars have been jailed.
Surrey Police say high-value cars, including Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs were among the stolen vehicles discovered when officers carried out a warrant at a suspected 'chop shop' in Cranleigh in October 2024.
Four men were caught in the act of dismantling stolen vehicles and were immediately arrested. Another man who was seen leaving the location was also arrested. They were later charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
37 year old Deividas Jakaitis of no fixed address, was described as 'the ring-leader' of the 'chop shop', facilitating the theft of vehicles and organising the dismantling and shipment of stolen parts.
He was also identified as paying for a lock-up facility in Chertsey to store the items. Between the two sites, more than £700,000 worth of stolen vehicles and parts were uncovered. He pleaded guilty on the first day of the trial and was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment.
41 year old Irmantas Lozuraitis of no fixed address pleaded guilty on the first day of trial and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.
24 year old Raimundas Dumcius pleaded guilty as the trial was looming and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.
26 year old Gytic Kirsinikas from Cranleigh also pleaded guild on the first day of trial and was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.
21 year old Eimantas Mikalauskas from Cranleigh also pleaded guilty ahead of the trial and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Claire Phillips said: "These sentences are a result of the excellent teamwork between a number of teams in Surrey Police, as well as joint working with our colleagues in force areas nationally in which these vehicles were stolen from.
"These men attempted to evade detection by promptly changing the license plate of the stolen vehicles, but through our joint working we were still able to identify vehicles of the same make and model near to where the thefts occurred, which were then seen making their way to Surrey."