A man has been sentenced to prison after stealing three statues worth £78,000 from a home in Chinnor. 

Thames Valley Police’s rural Crime Taskforce, Aron Mihai aged 38, of Radstock Avenue, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for the theft at Oxford Crown Court yesterday (October 24).

Police were informed of the theft of three statues from Kingston Blount, Chinnor worth £78,000 on August 12.

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During initial investigations by officers from the Rural Crime Taskforce neighbours informed them of a suspicious vehicle in the area on the Saturday prior.

Officers interrogated local and nationwide CCTV and identified a suspect vehicle in Birmingham.

Officers attended the home address and recovered one statue as well as evidence that the other two had been broken down and sold for scrap.

On August 16 Mihai was charged to attend Oxford Magistrates court on August 29 where he pleaded guilty. The case was referred to Oxford Crown Court where he was sentenced yesterday.

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Investigating officer PC Ben Little, of the Rural Crime Taskforce, said: “This is a great example of how police, the community and the Crown Prosecution Service can work together to crack down on theft across the Thames Valley to create a hostile environment for those that commit crime in our rural communities.”

Rural Crime Taskforce lead, Inspector Stuart Hutchings, added: “We are committed to tackling rural crime and bringing offenders to justice.

“We will work with and support our neighbouring forces to ensure the Thames Valley receive the best chances of having their stolen property returned to them.”