Essex Farm Theft Duo Nabbed for £380k Equipment Haul
Aidas Cesna, 28, and Gintaras Jankauskas, 30, have been caught red-handed after ripping off nearly £380,000 worth of pricey tech from 13 farms across Essex in just one month. Their spree ran from 28 September to 27 October 2021, targeting vital kit from tractors, combine harvesters, and sprayers.
Heavy Sentences Handed Down in Chelmsford
Jankauskas was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday 15 November to a hefty three years and 10 months behind bars. The court also hit him with a deprivation order for his car and slapped on a victim surcharge.
Meanwhile, Cesna was already locked up in July at Chester Crown Court. He received three years for the Essex thefts plus an extra 18 months for burglaries and multiple thefts in Cheshire earlier this year.
Farm Tech Theft Hurts Farmers Big Time
Police linked both men to 14 thefts using technical analysis. Stolen gear included GPS devices, navigation systems, satellite receivers, computer screens, and control boxes, all essential for modern farming.
“Theft of GPS equipment hits our farmers hard,” said PC Samantha Smith of the Rural Engagement Team. “Global positioning systems cost thousands to replace and delays during autumn harvest can be devastating.”
Prosecution Highlights Rural Crime Impact
Ashley Petchey from the Crown Prosecution Service slammed the thefts: “Cesna and Jankauskas carried out a spree of thefts totalling over £350,000 in just days. These crimes terrorise rural communities and hit farmers hard financially. The equipment is tough to replace and machines often suffer severe damage,”
“Thanks to the solid evidence gathered by Cheshire and Essex Police, both pleaded guilty and have now been sentenced.”
