They are easily resold on the black market: these agricultural machinery GPS guidance systems were the subject of a series of thefts a few days ago, in the Morbihan.
Between October 10 and 14, ten of these guidance systems were stolen in three rural municipalities (Ploërmel, Plumelin, Plumelec), on private land and at an agricultural concessionaire, where six of these on-board computers disappeared in a night.
The damage is great, both for farmers and traders, and this type of theft is obviously not the result of chance.
“Unfortunately, this is not a new phenomenon,” explains Colonel Pascal Estève, commander of the Morbihan gendarmerie group.
“Recently, the departments of Sarthe and Ille-et-Vilaine have also been affected.
The devices, new, cost between 20,000 and 25,000 euros to buy or sell on the black market, it is more than 10,000 euros ”.
READ ALSO>
"From now on, I remove my GPS from my tractor every evening"
The gendarmes have already dealt in the past with "specialized criminal groups who work on command to supply farmers from other European countries".
But for the moment, the Morbihan group is working in good harmony with the FNSEA56.
"We have set up a partnership," continues Colonel Estève.
Security advisers will raise awareness.
All the farmers were asked to return and secure their equipment and, in the event of any unusual behavior or suspicious vehicle being detected, to report immediately.
"
Investigations, driven by the Morbihan and Rennes research brigades, are continuing at the regional level.