Police Nab Gang of Car Thieves in Poland

Link : http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041004/ap_on_fe_st/poland_car_thieves&e=5

WARSAW, Poland - Polish police have busted a gang of thieves who stole cars and then advertised them on the Internet and in local newspapers at discount prices, authorities said Monday.



Authorities arrested four men, detained a fifth for questioning and retrieved 80 stolen cars, the Polish news agency PAP reported.


The number of cars stolen could be as high as 250, with a total value of about $285,000, police said. Police said more arrests should follow.


The car theft ring was divided into smaller sections, with each specializing in a different part of the crime, including stealing license plates, forging documents and placing ads in newspapers and on the Internet.


The men, between 30 and 50 years old, face eight years in prison each if convicted.


Stolen cars in Poland are usually sold at car lots or through criminal networks, authorities said.