Midlands BMW Thief Sentenced to 21 Months After Dramatic Police Pursuit
In a dramatic incident that unfolded across county lines, a burglar who led police on a 100mph chase in a stolen BMW X5 has been jailed for 21 months. Naglis Kisielius, 23, faced justice at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple offences, culminating in a tense standoff with a police dog.
The High-Speed Chase and Abandoned Vehicle
The sequence of events began in the early hours of February 18, when Cheshire Police received a call from a resident on Torkington Road in Wilmslow. The homeowner, who was away at the time, was alerted by their doorbell CCTV system, which captured an unknown individual stealing their BMW X5 from outside the property.
Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, and patrols across the county were notified about the stolen vehicle. Using ANPR and tracker data, police tracked the car as it travelled towards Staffordshire. At approximately 3:53 am, officers spotted the BMW on Farnborough Drive in the Stoke-on-Trent area.
The driver, later identified as Kisielius, failed to stop for police and accelerated to speeds of up to 100mph in a desperate attempt to evade capture. Due to safety concerns, officers made the decision to abandon the pursuit. Shortly afterward, the stolen BMW was found abandoned on Franklin Drive in Stoke-on-Trent.
The Arrest Involving Police Helicopter and Dog
With the vehicle located but the suspect still at large, the police helicopter was called to assist in the search. The aerial support proved crucial, as Kisielius was soon discovered hiding in the back garden of a nearby property.
As a police officer with a specially trained dog closed in on his position, Kisielius was given a clear warning: "come out now, or you'll get bit." The burglar was seen cowering against a garden fence before he was apprehended and taken into custody. During the arrest, officers also recovered the keys to the stolen BMW, which had been taken during the initial burglary.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Naglis Kisielius, of Almond Grove in Hollybush, Stoke-on-Trent, initially provided no comment during his police interview. However, he later admitted guilt in court to one count of burglary dwelling and theft, one count of theft, and one count of dangerous driving.
On March 27, Chester Crown Court sentenced him to 21 months in prison. In addition to the custodial term, Kisielius was ordered to pay £187 in costs. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case that highlighted effective cross-border police cooperation.
Police Response and Community Reassurance
Following the hearing, Detective Sergeant Laura Fox of Macclesfield Proactive CID commented on the case. "Burglary is a horrific offence, and we're committed to using all the resources available to us to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions," she stated.
DS Fox emphasized the importance of the collaborative effort between Cheshire Police and Staffordshire Police, noting that this cross-border relationship was instrumental in securing the arrest and conviction. "I hope that the sentence handed to Kisielius will provide some closure to the victim and also provide reassurance to the local community," she added. "I also hope that the case acts as a warning to anyone else who is thinking about coming to Cheshire to commit crime."
Police Constable Tom Lear, also of Macclesfield Proactive CID, highlighted the role of modern technology in the successful resolution of the case. "I welcome the sentence handed to Kisielius, which truly highlights the benefit of modern technology," he said.
PC Lear explained, "Thanks to the alert from their doorbell the victim was immediately able to alert officers to the incident, despite being away from home. Then, thanks to the ANPR data and tracker data, we were quickly able to locate the stolen car in Stoke-on-Trent and, with support of the police helicopter, arrest Kisielius."
This case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of criminal behaviour and the effectiveness of contemporary policing methods in ensuring public safety and justice.
