Three men charged after suspected vehicle ‘chop shop’ located

Three men have been charged after police located a suspected ‘”chop shop”, a term used to describe a facility used to store and dismantle stolen vehicles, with parts from these often shipped off.

The facility was located in an agricultural building in Undley, Lakenheath, on Monday, October 6, following the execution of a warrant, with three stolen vehicles, two BMWs and a Mercedes, found inside.

Two men were arrested at the scene while a third man was arrested when he attended the scene later that day.

Zilvinas Galinis, 35, of Lopham Road, East Harling; Mantas Zidonis, 25, of no-fixed-abode; and Lukas Slenys, 26, of no-fixed-abode; were all arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre, where they were subsequently charged with the following:

Galanis – Handling stolen goods, possession of a controlled Class B drug (amphetamine).

Zidonis – Handling stolen goods and using apparatus for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy.

Slenys – Handling stolen goods, using apparatus for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy.

The three men appeared before Ipswich Magistrates’ Court (pictured above) yesterday, Wednesday, October 8.

They were remanded by the court to next appear at Ipswich Crown Court on  November 5.