A prolific thief has been jailed for stealing at least 70 steering wheels from high priced cars across Kent.

In a three month spree, Ernestas Lukosevicius stole from vehicles parked outside homes in and around Aylesford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Sittingbourne and Swanley.

Targeting BMWs, Audis and Mercedes, Lukosevicius would use expanding foam and sticky tape to muffle car alarms and lights with the aid of an accomplice.

The pair would then break into the car, taking the steering and any on-board computer systems.

One theft caused a BMW to catch fire in Swanley.

The spree was brought to an end on March 12, when the 27-year-old was caught red handed in Larkfield.

At 4am police spotted two men crouched next to a BMW in Carroll Gardens.

The suspects ran in opposite directions, and police were able to catch Lukosevicius, but not the second man.

Lukosevicius was found with a BMW steering wheel hidden underneath his jacket, while bags containing spray foam and various tools were also seized.

Kent Police's investigation went on to identify fingerprints left on tape on two vehicles targeted in Bearstead as the thief's.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, Lukosevicius, aged 27 and of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to steal.

He was jailed today to four years in prison.

Det Const Tony Hatcher said: "Lukosevicius committed a huge number of offences in just a few months. Operating late at night, he targeted cars parked directly outside homes while owners were sleeping. Lukosevicius’ main role was to carry tools to and from crime scenes and pass them to an accomplice, who in turn would take apart the dashboard to remove equipment.

"These crimes have left victims and their insurance companies with repair bills totalling more than £500,000. During one incident in Swanley an attempted theft from a BMW led to it catching fire and being engulfed in flames. The fire was so severe it also caused damage to the victim’s home.’

"We have a DNA profile of a further offender also believe to be involved in these crimes and rest assured we are continuing to do all we can to also bring them to justice."