Three men jailed after vehicle ‘chop shop’ located in village

Three men have been jailed after pleading guilty to offences relating to the running of a vehicle “chop shop” in Undley, Lakenheath.

Police located the site on Monday, October 6.

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

At a hearing at Ipswich Crown Court in February, Galinis pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, while Zidonis and Slenys pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and to using apparatus for the purpose of interfering with wireless telegraphy.

The three men were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court (pictured above) yesterday (Monday, April 13).

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 of 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.”