£380k Farm Gear Heist: Two Thugs Banged Up!
Aidas Cesna, 28, and Gintaras Jankauskas, 30, pleaded guilty to masterminding a massive theft spree across Essex farms. Between late September and October 2021, they nicked high-tech equipment worth around £380,000 from 13 farms and estates.
Jankauskas Gets Nearly Four Years Behind Bars
On Tuesday 15 November, chelmsford/" title="Chelmsford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Chelmsford Crown Court slammed Jankauskas with a 3-year and 10-month jail term. The court also seized his car and slapped him with a victim surcharge for good measure.
Cesna had already copped a three-year sentence at Chester Crown Court back in July for the same crime. He piled on another 18 months for a spree of burglary, thefts, and vehicle thefts across Cheshire earlier this year.
High-Tech Thieves Pinpointed by Police
Using technical evidence, cops tied both men to 14 thefts targeting hi-tech gadgets fitted to tractors, combine harvesters, and sprayers across Essex. Stolen loot included GPS systems, satellite receivers, navigation gear, computer screens, and control boxes.
Farmers Left Reeling From Costs and Chaos
“Theft of GPS equipment hits our farmers hard,” said PC Samantha Smith from the Rural Engagement Team. “These systems are vital and cost thousands to replace, plus the damage and downtime add even more pain.”
“Such thefts cause chaos, especially in autumn when delays harvesting crops are extremely costly.”
Ashley Petchey of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Cesna and Jankauskas terrorised rural communities, stealing over £350,000 worth of crucial farming gear in just days.”
“Replacing equipment isn’t easy, and often machines get badly damaged, leaving farmers stranded without their essential tools.”
“Thanks to evidence from Cheshire and Essex Police, these two pleaded guilty and now pay the price.”
