Two Crimes Solved by Lipetsk Police

On 13 July, a 36-year-old local resident reported to Lipetsk police that 6,000 rubles (approximately $66 at current rates) had been stolen from his bank account. He explained that he had lost his bank card and failed to block it in time. As early as 5 July, he started receiving notifications of purchases he did not make. Criminal investigation officers conducted a series of operations and detained the suspect, a 39-year-old resident of the regional center. The detainee confessed that he had found the card and immediately started using it. With the stolen money, he bought sunglasses, a man bag, a lighter, chocolate, and an energy drink. A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Theft), which carries a maximum penalty of up to six years in prison.

The second incident occurred on the evening of 15 July. A 34-year-old resident of Lipetsk reported the open theft of a gold chain worth 50,000 rubles (approximately $550 at current rates). During the investigation, police detained the suspect, an unemployed, previously convicted 21-year-old resident of Lipetsk. It was established that the two had met on the street and were drinking alcohol together. The suspect liked the chain and asked to try it on. With the owner«s consent, he removed the jewelry, put it on, and ran away. The stolen item was pawned for 35,000 rubles (approximately $385 at current rates). A case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (Robbery), which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.