A GANG has been jailed for a total of more than 35 years after stealing more than 130 vehicles worth upwards of £3 million.

The offenders stole the vehicles from around London and the Home Counties, before dismantling them and shipping the parts to Lithuania.

During an investigation into the thefts, Metropolitan Police officers found some of the vehicles had their identities changed to make them look more legitimate - a process known as "ringing".

A large number of the cars targeted were luxury SUVs, which were stolen without keys using a method called relay station attack, where the gang used equipment that enabled them to drive off in vehicles fitted with keyless entry or start systems.

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Two of the six men were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Adolis Grigunas, 29, from Grays in Essex, was sentenced to seven years and three months' imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiracy to convert criminal property and conspiracy to steal.

Andrius Stanelka, 36, from Rainham in East London, was sentenced on the same day to seven years and six months' imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiracy to convert criminal property and conspiracy to steal.

Four other men had been sentenced previously at the same court.

The gang's leader, Karolis Stanevicius, 36, also from Rainham, was sentenced on March 20 to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Rimgaudas Magomedovas, 46, from Purfleet in Essex, was sentenced on December 21 last year to six years and nine months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Darius Mitrulevicius, 44, also from Purfleet, was sentenced on September 24 last year to five years and five months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convert criminal property.

Another man, whose details have not been published, was sentenced on June 26 last year to 27 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal.

All the men sentenced were Lithuanian nationals.

The case traces back to 2019 when the Met carried out searches of properties in Hornchurch and Purfleet.

Officers found thousands of pounds in cash, a bank card linked to money laundering and four stolen cars which had been "rung".

Three of the men were arrested following the searches, with a fourth arrested after being stopped in a stolen vehicle.

The men were released under investigation but were arrested again and charged in 2019 after a dismantling site was discovered in Cressing in Essex.

Detective Inspector Pete Ellis, who led the investigation, said: "This was a sophisticated and well-organised criminal enterprise.

"Extensive use was made of false identities of both vehicles and the gang, forged documents and multiple bank accounts by those controlling the activity in an effort to evade detection.

"Evidence of over 130 vehicles stolen by the gang was presented to the court, but the true figure is undoubtedly much higher.

"This case illustrates the Met's ongoing work to tackle vehicle theft and organised crime."