For ten months, two men in the UK carried out a series of Porsche car thefts in the Greater Manchester area. Their seemingly profitable operation ended in imprisonment.
Criminals’ Methodology
The suspects, Eidmantas Sadauskas and Vytautas Ceponis, were able to bypass the cars’ security systems using unspecified “equipment and tools.” By disabling the alarms, they gained access to the vehicles, re-registered them with new license plates, and avoided suspicion during their escape.
The thefts began in January and continued steadily until October. Authorities did not disclose details regarding the specific Porsche models that were stolen, but the total value provides some clues.
Goals and Investigation
The approximate total value is around £1 million, indicating that the duo avoided the most expensive models, such as the 911, and likely stole models like the Macan, Cayenne, or base Panamera. Police suspect the cars were intended for resale, possibly through illegal channels abroad.
As the thefts increased, local law enforcement launched a targeted operation. The Tactical Vehicle Interception Unit stopped a suspect vehicle in Cheshire at 1 a.m. on October 16. This vehicle had previously been linked to other thefts in the area.
Arrest and Sentencing
Sadauskas and Ceponis were found inside the vehicle. They had a blank car key, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, and several other car-breaking tools on them. It was also established that the men had been in the areas where the thefts occurred.
Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles at Minshull Street Crown Court on November 24. Sadauskas was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, and Ceponis to four years behind bars.
Aftermath and Police Comments
Police have already recovered several stolen Porsches and continue to search for the rest. The investigation involved extensive work, including reviewing hours of CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition data.
This was a sophisticated criminal operation that resulted in several valuable cars being stolen and sold for profit. As soon as we identified the trend, we immediately began comprehensive work to identify all possible suspects and track them.
This case is a reminder of the ongoing technological race between car manufacturers improving security systems and criminals finding new ways to bypass them. The police’s success in this case was ensured by thorough data analysis and inter-agency cooperation, which allowed them to expose even a fairly organized group. The recovery of some cars provides some hope to the affected owners; however, such stories often point to the existence of stable illegal sales markets, which remain a problem for law enforcement worldwide.