Two jailed after spree of GPS thefts from Essex farms
The pair took around ÂŁ380,000 worth of equipment from 13 farms across the county
Two men have bee jailed for a combined six years and 10 months after stealing technical equipment from multiple farms and estates across Essex.
Aidas Cesna, 28, and Gintaras Jankauskas, 30, both admitted conspiring to steal equipment valued at approximately ÂŁ380,000 from agricultural vehicles at 13 different locations between September and October last year.
Yesterday (November 15) Jankauskas was handed three years and 10 months behind bars at Chelmsford Crown Court.
He was also handed a deprivation order for his car and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge.
Cesna was jailed for three years in July at Chester Crown Court for the same offence.
He was also jailed for a further one year and six months for a burglary, two thefts and theft from a motor vehicle in Cheshire in February this year.
PC Samantha Smith, of Essex Police's Rural Engagement Team, said: “Theft of GPS equipment hits our farmers hard.
“Global positioning systems are a critical part of modern farming and cost thousands of pounds to replace. Then there are the additional costs and time out of operation required to repair the damage caused by thieves.
“So, thefts can cause significant harm and disruption to farm businesses, particularly in the autumn, when delays can prove extremely costly for farmers bringing in their harvest.”