Cross-border bust dismantles two keyless car theft rings in Germany and Poland
German and Polish authorities have dismantled two criminal networks responsible for a wave of keyless-entry car thefts. The gangs stole vehicles across five German states before smuggling them into Poland for dismantling. Eight suspects, all Polish nationals, were arrested after a lengthy cross-border investigation.
The thefts took place between January and June 2025, targeting high-value cars in Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony. The criminals focused on vehicles with keyless-go systems, exploiting vulnerabilities to steal them without physical keys. In total, 62 thefts and attempted thefts were recorded, causing losses of around €4.1 million.
The stolen cars were quickly transported along the A15 motorway to workshops near Żary, Poland. There, they were stripped for parts and sold through auctions or online platforms. Two organised groups, both based in the same region, coordinated the operation. Investigations led by the Central Criminal Investigation Office (ZKI) in Braunschweig uncovered the network. During raids, police recovered components from 20 stolen vehicles, along with €80,000 in cash and precious metals. On April 27, 2026, arrest warrants for the eight suspects—aged 24 to 42—were upheld by the courts.
The arrests mark the end of a systematic theft operation that spanned multiple countries. Authorities have recovered stolen vehicle parts and assets linked to the crimes. The case highlights ongoing challenges in combating cross-border car theft rings.
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