Jail for Cranleigh ‘Chop Shop’ Criminals

Published on: 4 Apr, 2025
Updated on: 7 Apr, 2025

High-value cars, including Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs were among the stolen vehicles discovered. Surrey Police

Five men at the centre of a criminal empire in which they dismantled and exported stolen cars were sentenced on Wednesday, (April 2) at Guildford Crown Court.

High-value cars, including Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs were among the stolen vehicles discovered when officers carried out a warrant at a suspected “chop shop” in Cranleigh on Friday, October 11 last year.

Four men were caught in the act of dismantling stolen vehicles and were immediately arrested. Another man who was seen leaving the location was also arrested. They were subsequently charged and remanded for Conspiracy to Handle Stolen Goods.

Soft fittings, eg carpets, had been carefully wrapped for protection from paint etc Surrey Police

Deividas Jakaitis, 37, of no fixed address, was described as the ring-leader of the chop shop, facilitating the theft of vehicles and organising the dismantling and shipment of stolen parts. He was also identified as paying for a lock-up facility in Chertsey to store the items.

Between the two sites, more than £700,000 worth of stolen vehicles and parts were uncovered. He pleaded guilty on the first day of the trial and was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment.

Irmantas Lozuraitis, 41, of no fixed address pleaded guilty on the first day of trial and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

Raimundas Dumcius, 24, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty as the trial was looming and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

Gytic Kirsinikas, 26, from Cranleigh also pleaded guilty on the first day of trial and was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.

Eimantas Mikalauskas, 21 from Cranleigh also pleaded guilty ahead of the trial and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Premium cars in different stages of stripping or re-assembly Surrey Police

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Claire Phillips said: “These sentences are a result of the excellent teamwork between a number of teams in Surrey Police, as well as joint working with our colleagues in force areas nationally in which these vehicles were stolen from.

“These men attempted to evade detection by promptly changing the license plate of the stolen vehicles, but through our joint working we were still able to identify vehicles of the same make and model near to where the thefts occurred, which were then seen making their way to Surrey.”