Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6964Handling stolen property; deception; possession of an article for use in theft · Co. Dublin · 5 Mar 2020

Head of chop shop car theft gang jailed

Constantine Asimionesei (33), a man, was caught in a stolen vehicle in the early hours of 5 March 2020 in the Rathcoole area of West Dublin, and gardaí accused him of stealing a 2019 Kia Niro worth €30,000. Gardaí believed he led a gang that stole 64 vehicles worth about €1.6m between 2017 and 2020. He was extradited from Romania after going on the run in March 2020, and he was charged with two counts of deception over the sale of two cars for €35,000 and with possessing an electronic relay device for use in a theft. On 8 December 2023 he was jailed for five years with the final 18 months suspended, though the headline and lead report the sentence as three and a half years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Constantine Asimionesei (33), a man, was the head of a chop shop car theft gang, according to the reports.
Where
Asimionesei was caught in a stolen vehicle in the Rathcoole area of West Dublin.
When
He was caught in a stolen vehicle in the early hours of 5 March 2020.
Cause
He was accused of stealing a 2019-registered Kia Niro worth €30,000.
Weapon
No weapon is mentioned in the facts.
Investigation
  • Officers from the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigating Unit arrested him over handling stolen property, deception and possession of an article to be used in a theft.
  • He went on the run in March 2020 and was later extradited from Romania.
Charges
  • He faced two counts of deception over the sale of two cars for €35,000.
  • He was also charged with having an electronic relay device for use in connection with a theft.
Other details
  • Gardaí believed the gang stole 64 vehicles from 2017 to 2020 worth about €1.6m, and linked Asimionesei to a total insurance loss of €184,850.
  • Gardaí found a lock-up facility under his control containing vehicles and stolen car parts, and believe the chop shop has ceased operating since his arrest.
In court
He was sentenced on Friday 8 December 2023, when he was formerly of Athy, Co Kildare and later living in Lucan, Co Dublin.
Sentence
He was jailed for five years with the final 18 months suspended, while the headline and lead say he was jailed for three and a half years.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAsimionesei was extradited from Romania after going on the run in March 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe was caught in a stolen vehicle in the Rathcoole area of West Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe was caught in a stolen vehicle in the early hours of 5 March 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeHe was accused of stealing a 2019-registered Kia Niro worth €30,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationOfficers from the Garda Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigating Unit arrested him over handling stolen property. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe had faced two counts of deception over the sale of two cars for €35,000. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe was also charged with having an electronic relay device for use in connection with a theft. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceAsimionesei was jailed for five years with the final 18 months suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe article reports that he was jailed for three and a half years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí believe the gang stole 64 vehicles from 2017 to 2020 worth about €1.6m. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOfficers believed Asimionesei was the leader of the gang. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí linked Asimionesei to a total insurance loss of €184,850. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí found a lock-up facility under his control containing vehicles and stolen car parts. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí believe the chop shop has ceased operating since his arrest. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Dec2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Head of 'chop shop' car theft gang responsible for €1.6m scheme jailed

    Reports the sentence of five years with 18 months suspended. The headline and lead say he was jailed for three and a half years. Links him to a gang responsible for 64 vehicle thefts worth about €1.6m from 2017 to 2020.

    convicted, Constantine Asimionesei, 33, male, namedConstantine Asimionesei