Police Report Trusted Employee Embezzled $1.3M Worth of Car Parts Undetected | Carscoops

      UK police had no difficulty identifying the suspect, as he had associated his eBay account with his real address.

      17 hours ago

      by Sam D. Smith

      Employee steals approximately $1.3 million in car parts from workplace

      The suspect had been employed by the parts distributor for over 20 years.

      After admitting guilt, the individual received a two-year prison sentence.

      While some might confess to taking a few items from the office supply closet, one trusted employee managed to steal over $1.3 million (£1 million) over two years.

      The 42-year-old worked at a parts distributor in Milton Keynes, UK. He confessed to the theft, resulting in a two-year sentence given by the judge, underscoring once again that crime pays off poorly.

      Konrad Labinski was apprehended during the act. His downfall began when his colleagues grew suspicious about the unaccounted parts. Alongside the discrepancies in inventory, the stolen parts were traced back to an eBay account.

      Caught Red-Handed

      On March 4, 2025, Thames Valley police were notified about a potential theft by the parts distributor's employees. Not exactly a criminal genius, police were able to link the suspect's eBay account to Labinski’s address in Milton Keynes.

      Following this, he was arrested at work on March 7 after being caught taking additional items, according to BBC News. A search of his home revealed over 1,000 car parts, all thought to have been stolen and later recovered by law enforcement.

      Detective Constable Vince Higgins from Milton Keynes CID described the incident as a "rapidly evolving investigation" that required collaboration across various departments.

      Setting an Example

      “Labinski was arrested to secure more evidence, which led to the discovery of a large quantity of stolen goods at his residence,” he noted. “Having worked for the company for more than 20 years, he abused the trust placed in him.”

      The stolen parts have since been returned to the company. Although Labinski declined to comment during a police interview, he later pleaded guilty to employee theft.

      Detective Higgins warned that this case serves as a cautionary tale. “Labinski has gone from having a well-paid position with benefits to being unemployed, losing his job and car, and ending up in prison,” he stated. “The repercussions of such offenses can be significant and life-altering.”

      Sources: BBC | Photos Brembo, Garrett