Prolific keyless car thieves jailed

Good morning

Two men have been jailed for the thefts of more than 20 motor vehicle across the country worth more than £600k. 

The men were arrested following a long running investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Investigation Department and supported by the Mobile Support Team, into organised thefts of high value vehicles, using specialist equipment to bypass keyless vehicle security systems. 

The thieves stole 25 vehicles, which were all Audis, BMWs or Mercedes, between October and December 2025. The vehicles were taken from addresses in Baldock, Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Letchworth, Rickmansworth and Welwyn Garden City. They also targeted vehicles in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire.  

Aurimas Sarkis, aged 29, of Swallow Drive, Raunds, Northamptonshire and Ignas Kisskiss, aged 36, of Sisley Road, Barking, both appeared at St Albans Crown Court today (Wednesday 24 June), after pleading guilty to multiple counts of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles. Sarkis was jailed for four years and one month and Kisskiss was jailed for four years and 10 months. 

Detective Sergeant Chris Dale, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Crime Series Investigation Unit: “These two are prolific offenders who targeted high value cars, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, across a wide area affecting many victims. They will now be subject to Proceeds of Crime legislation, to recover as much as possible to return to their victims. The judge also recommended both be deported upon completion of their sentences.

“Vehicle theft, particularly of high value keyless models, has been a prevalent crime across the county in recent years. This type of crime is often linked to organised crime groups, who use specialist equipment to steal vehicles in seconds. 

“We are targeting these gangs, working with our partners in neighbouring forces and using ANPR technology to track criminals using the road networks making Hertfordshire a hostile environment for them to operate in. Owners can make their vehicles safer by following our advice, such as using an approved steering wheel lock and key fob signal blocking pouch when vehicles are not being used.”

For more advice visit:  www.herts.police.uk/protectyourvehicle.   

Anyone with information on vehicle crime is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary via the non-emergency number 101 or report information online at www.herts.police.uk/report.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will never need to go to court.