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🇸🇪 Sweden /Crime & Justice

GPS Tracker Leads to Dismantling of Major Theft Ring, Ten Convicted

From Svenska Dagbladet · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A Swedish man, Erik Asp, used a GPS tracker to help police dismantle a large theft ring operating across Sweden and Poland.
  • Ten individuals have been convicted for their involvement in the ring, which stole vehicles worth approximately 5 million Swedish kronor.
  • Asp initiated his own investigation after police response was initially slow, leading to the recovery of stolen goods.

A man's proactive use of a GPS tracker has led to the conviction of ten individuals involved in a major cross-border theft operation. Erik Asp, from Leksand, Sweden, took matters into his own hands when his son's dirt bike, an ATV, and his ex-wife's boyfriend's motorcycle were stolen.

Asp had previously placed a GPS transmitter on the ATV. When the thefts occurred, he was able to track the vehicle in real-time via an app, discovering it had been transported to Poland. Despite being advised by Swedish police to wait, Asp decided to pursue the matter himself.

Then I thought, never mind. I have to take care of it myself.

— Erik AspExplaining his decision to pursue the stolen vehicles himself after initial police inaction.

He contacted Polish police, providing them with the GPS coordinates. This led to a raid on a barn in Poland, which was found to be filled with stolen goods. Swedish police later requested Asp's GPS data, by which time they had launched a larger investigation into the network, uncovering approximately 70 thefts across central Sweden valued at around 5 million Swedish kronor.

On Wednesday, ten people were sentenced for aggravated theft and receiving stolen goods, with most receiving prison sentences between two and two-and-a-half years. Asp's son has recovered his dirt bike, though another motorcycle remains in Poland. Asp expressed no bitterness towards the Swedish police, acknowledging their "impressive work" in the subsequent investigation.

They have done an impressive job.

— Erik AspExpressing his satisfaction with the Swedish police's work on the case after his initial involvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Svenska Dagbladet in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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