Man who evaded justice jailed for his part in burglary series

A man who evaded being sentenced for his part in a series of burglaries across Cheshire and North Wales has been jailed.

Tomasz Monkowski, 51, fled to Poland prior to the strike day conducted by Cheshire and North Wales. His three co-accused were sentenced in 2021.

Due to him fleeing to Poland, a European Arrest Warrant was authorised for his arrest. He was identified after coming to the attention of the authorities in Poland, and Cheshire Police were alerted to his whereabouts. Once he was dealt with by the courts in Poland, he was then transferred to the UK to be sentenced.

He appeared at Sheffield Crown court on Friday 16 August to be sentenced to eight years in prison.

Monkowski was part of a gang who targeted properties in the rural areas of Cheshire and North Wales.

Their crime spree came to an end following an 18-month operation by Cheshire Police and North Wales Police.

The gang stole property with a combined value of £450,214.98 between 23 July 2018 and 2 July 2019 targeting high value items such as quad bikes, motorbikes and horse tack. In total there were 75 offences – 47 in North Wales and 28 in Cheshire.

As the net closed in on the gang, officers raided addresses in North Wales and arrested Korybolski at his home address, Lawin and Knapik had fled back to Poland so were extradited back to the UK to face justice.

The men were subsequently charged and sent to court.

Lukaz Lawin, now 39, Patryk Korybolski , now 31, and Patryk Knapik, now 28, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and money laundering. They were subsequently sentenced in 2021. Lawin was sentenced to five years eight months in prison. Korybolski was given a five year three month sentence and Knapik was sentenced to four years and four months.

DC Gareth Yates said:

“Monkowski thought he could evade justice by fleeing to Poland and deny his victims complete justice. But by coming to the attention of police in Poland they were alerted to the fact he was wanted in the UK. Now he is finally facing the consequences of his actions and will spend time behind bars.”