Eagle Group dismantles Lithuanian car theft gang – gang leader arrested
Police officers from the capital's car crime unit have detained two Lithuanian citizens, including the leader of a gang that stole cars in Poland and the EU. Two stolen vehicles were recovered.
Lithuanian gang stole Korean cars in Poland and Germany – two detained
According to Google News PL — Crime (pl), officers from the Department for Combating Motor Vehicle Crime at the Warsaw Metropolitan Police Headquarters have dismantled a Lithuanian criminal group specialising in thefts of Korean-brand cars from European Union countries, including Poland.
Investigators established the gang's method of operation and traced a vehicle in which the perpetrators were travelling from the German border towards Lithuania. The Ford driven by the thieves was located on the A2 motorway near Brwinów. Officers of the County Police Headquarters in Pruszków created favourable conditions for intervention, after which the Eagle Group precisely stopped the car along with two men inside.
The first is a 40-year-old head of the criminal group, the second a 54-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle. Both are Lithuanian citizens. Found in their car were devices for stealing cars, including a so-called "gameboy", as well as forged documents in German and Finnish, prepared for legalising stolen vehicles abroad.
In the course of further investigative activities, officers traced a tow truck on the S8 route near Wołomin. The Hyundai being transported, stolen in Germany at the end of July, had a secondary VIN number. Forged registration documents were found inside. The genuine VIN number was read using specialised equipment. The car was also due to be transported to Lithuania and legalised there.
The evidence gathered allowed the Warsaw-Praga Północ District Prosecutor's Office to bring charges against both men. The 40-year-old and 54-year-old are suspected of theft with breaking and entering of the Hyundai from German territory. The gang leader will additionally face charges for thefts with breaking and entering of three Kia cars from Warsaw and Piaseczno.
The court upheld the prosecutor's request and applied temporary arrest for three months against both Lithuanian citizens. Investigators do not rule out that the suspects have further car thefts in Poland and other EU countries to their name. The case is ongoing.
The Warsaw Metropolitan Police Headquarters is implementing the "CARSECURE – enhancement of police competence in combating cross-border motor vehicle crime" project, whose partner is the County Police Headquarters in Kaunas. The project is co-financed from the Internal Security Fund for 2021–2027 and includes, among other things, operational and investigative activities, officer training, and the purchase of modern tools for combating cross-border motor vehicle crime.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)