Metal Angle Theft Solved in 24 Hours

On 15 July, a 77-year-old resident of the Chaplyginsky District filed a police report. The man stated that 135 metal angles with a total weight of 360 kg had disappeared from his garage, located in one of the villages. He estimated the damage at 50,000 rubles (approximately 556 USD at current rates). The pensioner explained that he does not use the house and garage regularly, and discovered the theft on the day he reported it.

Officers from the criminal investigation department, the State Traffic Inspectorate, and local district police conducted investigative operations. By cross-referencing data, they identified two suspects—residents of the district aged 19 and 14. It was established that the young men were well acquainted with each other.

At around noon on 14 July, the 19-year-old suspect drove to pick up his minor friend, and they went for a drive through the villages. In one settlement, the older one suggested checking out a dilapidated house that looked abandoned. Metal doors and a small window did not stop the intruders: bending the nails and removing the glass, they got inside, and then into the garage. Seeing the metal angles, they decided to steal them. The theft was carried out in two stages: first, they prepared the items and moved them to the exit, and then returned at night to haul away the property. The next morning, they sold the angles at a scrap metal collection point for 4,680 rubles (approximately 52 USD at current rates).

The stolen items have been seized and will soon be returned to the legal owner. A criminal case has been opened against both suspects under paragraphs «b» and «c» of Part 2 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (theft with illegal entry into a premises causing significant damage). The maximum penalty under this article is up to five years of imprisonment. Additionally, authorities are considering opening a case against the 19-year-old under Part 1 of Article 150 of the Criminal Code for involving a minor in a crime. The mother of the 14-year-old teenager will also face administrative liability under Article 5.35 of the Code of Administrative Offences for failing to fulfill her parenting duties.