Large-Scale Theft of Auto Parts
While some may confess to minor thefts of office stationery, one trusted employee over two years stole auto parts worth over $1.3 million.
Key Case Facts
Crime Uncovered
42-year-old Conrad Labinski worked at an auto parts distributor in Milton Keynes, UK. He was caught in the act after colleagues began to suspect that a large quantity of parts was disappearing without explanation. Besides inventory discrepancies, the stolen parts were linked to an eBay account.
Swift Investigation
On March 4, 2025, Thames Valley Police received a report from employees of the distributor about a possible theft. Law enforcement traced the suspicious eBay account to Labinski’s address in Milton Keynes.
On March 7, he was arrested at his workplace while stealing additional goods. A search of his house revealed over 1000 auto parts, believed to have been stolen and subsequently returned by the police.
Consequences of Trust
Detective Constable Vince Higgins from the Milton Keynes Investigations Department described the case as a “very swiftly deployed investigation” that required coordination between several departments.
Labinski was arrested in such a way as to secure additional evidence, and we found a treasure trove of stolen property at his home address. He had worked for the company for over 20 years and abused the trust that had been placed in him
Justice and Warning
The stolen parts were returned to the company. Labinski refused to comment during police questioning but later pleaded guilty to theft by an employee.
Labinski went from a well-paid job with corporate benefits to being unemployed, having lost his job, his car, and ending up in prison. The consequences of such an offense can be enormous and life-changing
This story demonstrates how important internal control and monitoring systems are, even for trusted employees with many years of service. Many companies, after such incidents, review their inventory and access procedures, especially in industries with high-value goods. The duration of the crime – two years – indicates that the security systems needed updating, and regular checks could have prevented such large-scale losses.