Pińczów Police Dismantle Car Theft Gang. Staged Theft, Seven Vehicles and Narcotics
Criminal investigators from Pińczów have uncovered a criminal network that staged vehicle thefts to fraudulently obtain compensation from insurance companies. The operation led to the recovery of seven vehicles and nearly four kilogrammes of cannabis. Three men have been charged.
Pińczów Police Dismantle Car Theft Gang. Staged Theft, Seven Vehicles and Narcotics
Officers from the District Police Headquarters in Pińczów have investigated a group that organised fictitious car thefts in order to fraudulently obtain payments from insurance companies. The matter came to light following a report of a missing vehicle, which turned out to be carefully orchestrated.
In January of this year, a 53-year-old resident reported the alleged theft of his vehicle to police. From the outset, investigators suspected that the incident might have been fabricated. The gathered evidence confirmed that the owner deliberately disposed of the vehicle and then reported it missing, hoping to receive an insurance payout.
During the investigation, it emerged that a 35-year-old was behind the preparation of the entire scheme. The vehicle was deliberately hidden and then dismantled for spare parts, with the bodywork cut up to make identification difficult. The owner cooperated with the organiser by filing a false crime report.
However, this was only the beginning. During extensive operations across the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, officers not only found the vehicle whose disappearance had been reported but also six other vehicles which there is reasonable suspicion were stolen. At the search location, a substantial collection of parts and metal fragments from various makes was discovered.
During the search, investigators also found nearly four kilogrammes of plant material. Preliminary examination showed it to be cannabis.
The first two suspects – the 35-year-old and the 53-year-old – have been charged with attempted fraud and filing a false report. They have been placed under police supervision.
In the meantime, the involvement of another group member was established. A 50-year-old resident of Ożarów Municipality has been detained. The prosecutor has pressed charges against him related to fraud and possession of narcotics. The court ordered his remand in custody for a period of two months.
Currently, analysis of the gathered evidence is continuing and the connections between those detained are being mapped. Preliminary findings suggest that the entire operation was carefully planned and the number of offences may be considerably greater than initially suspected.
Source: Świętokrzyskie Police
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)