A millionaire named Cheng Lixin from southwest China's Sichuan province was sentenced to 8 years in prison recently for stealing cars to relieve a depressive disorder, chinanews.com reported Tuesday.

In Oct, 2014, Cheng installed a GPS device on an off-road vehicle and duplicated its door key in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan.

About 10 days later, relocating the car with GPS, he decoded the anti-theft system and stole the car.

Cheng hid the car in a warehouse and installed a jammer on it, in case the owner tried finding the car with its original positioner.

What he had done excited him, and also stimulated his appetite, Cheng said, adding that the thrilling experience further motivated his desire for stealing.

He then stole two more cars the same way as he did with the first one. But soon after, he was arrested by the police.

It's learned that Cheng is actually a wealthy man who runs an electrical appliance business and owns net assets of about 20 million yuan ($3 million). In addition to that, his entertainment company also earns 2 to 3 million yuan every year.

According to local judicial identification center, he has been suffering from a mild depressive disorder.

The court sentenced Cheng to 8 years' imprisonment in the first trial recently, and imposed a fine of 50,000 yuan.

Cheng appealed against the decision to the higher court.