Range Rover thief Luke Gilleeney caught after years on the run!
Luke Gilleeney, 33, from Gravesend, vanished after being charged in January 2015. The criminal mastermind fled to Marbella instead of answering bail.
Stolen cars found near his home
Police first caught onto Gilleeney when his fingerprints were found on a fake registration plate slapped onto a stolen Range Rover parked near his Grange Road address. Just days later, officers spotted another stolen Range Rover up for sale. That too was located close to Gilleeney’s home, alongside a stolen Audi Q3 and a third vehicle registered to one of his family members.
The total value of these three luxury cars? A whopping £111,000.
On the run, then arrested again
After his initial arrest, Gilleeney admitted he was handling the stolen wheels for unnamed associates, trying to flog them for a quick profit. Yet he skipped town rather than face court. It wasn’t until December 2021 that police tracked him down in Meopham, where he was arrested once more.
Justice served at Maidstone Crown Court
Gilleeney pleaded guilty to three counts of handling stolen goods plus failing to surrender. On 3 May 2022, he was slammed with a 38-and-a-half-month jail sentence.
“The theft of a motor vehicle can be very damaging for the victims concerned and leave them feeling unsafe in their own homes,” said Detective Constable Mark Donovan.
“While Gilleeney didn’t steal the vehicles himself, he eagerly dealt in stolen property to line his pockets illegally.”
“This case sends a strong message: no matter how far criminals run, the long arm of the law will catch them in the end.”
