Four people sentenced following theft of e-scooter batteries in Liverpool

Pictured above Darius Porgniczy

Four people have been sentenced after stealing more than 1,000 e-scooter batteries over a four-month period.

Towards the end of 2023, the high-value theft was reported after the group targeted VOI e-scooters between 14 July – 20 November 2023 across the Liverpool area.

Following an investigation, it was found that they were taking the batteries out of the e-scooters and then selling them abroad.

When police carried out a warrant and arrested them in November 2023 at an industrial unit, officers discovered 33 batteries in the boots of their vehicles.

The following three people were sentenced on Friday 4 April at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting the offence of conspiring to steal from a motor vehicle:

Darius Porgniczy, 50, of Audley Street, in Crewe, denied the offence but was found guilty and has now been sentenced to four years in prison.

Alex Carroll, 29, of Saunby Close, in Garston, was sentenced to two years and eight months.

Pictured above Alex Carroll

Alex Dunn, 22, of Gatacre Vale Road, in Woolton, was given a suspended sentence for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work.

Kirsty Jones, 36, of Abbeyvale Drive, in Belle Vale, was given a suspended sentence for 18 months and 250 hours unpaid work.

A fifth offender, who is a 17-year-old boy from Liverpool, appeared at a previous hearing at Liverpool Youth Court where he was referred to our Youth Offending Team. 

A key part of the investigation that identified the culprits was CCTV and on 13th September 2023 at 12.50pm, footage showed Jones and Carroll drive onto Garrick Street, in Liverpool.

Carroll then gets out of the car before wheeling an e-scooter out of sight to remove the battery and then drive away.

A similar incident was caught on CCTV on 13^th October 2023 when Jones targets four e-scooters on Out Lane in Woolton.

Detective Sergeant Mark Pedder, who led the investigation, said: “This was clearly a well-planned and sustained operation that involved the theft of a huge number of high-value items.

“Thankfully once we received the report it didn’t take us long to identify the suspects and gather the evidence to prove their involvement. They even had stolen batteries at the scene of their arrest, which were seized.

“Their actions had an impact on the community who rely on the e-scooters on a daily basis.

“They have been sentenced today and will now have time in prison to reflect on their actions.”

James Bolton, Voi UK’s General Manager, said: “We welcome today’s sentencing and the efforts Merseyside’s Police have put in to protect our vital service from disruption.

“Our e-scooters are fitted with cutting-edge technology to track any battery theft. We’re pleased the tech and our fantastic team on the ground supplied enough data to allow Merseyside Police to arrest and convict the people involved.

“Everyday, thousands of Liverpudlians depend on our e-scooters and e-bikes to travel around the city sustainably, affordably and safely. Battery theft impacts the service we provide in Liverpool.

“Sadly in Merseyside we know the impact that the theft and robberies of e-bikes and e-scooters can have in our communities.”

Detective Sergeant Pedder added: “We take all reports of theft seriously and we know that electric bikes can be targeted by criminals who use them to either sell or use themselves.

“We have a range of pro-active measures in place to combat these types of theft because we know the impact it can have on the owner.

“With community support and information provided we will make continue to make arrests and seek prosecutions.

“I would advise owners of electric bikes to keep your vehicles securely locked and out of sight, and also be mindful of who is around when you are out riding them.

“We also encourage owners to mark and register their bikes at the Bike Register here: The National Cycle Database | BikeRegister to provide additional reassurance in the event of theft.”

Anyone with information or footage should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.