Last week, the State Police arrested a young man born in 2006, who is suspected of two robberies in Riga.
A young man, posing as a buyer in the messaging app "Telegram," arranged meetings with sellers of items and, threatening them with an object resembling a weapon or a knife, stole their property. The youngest victim is 14 years old.
On February 28, the State Police received information about a robbery that occurred in Riga, in the Purvciems neighborhood. It was found that a minor had posted an advertisement in the messaging app "Telegram" to sell his personal clothing. During the meeting, the potential buyer first examined the items, after which he pulled out an object resembling a firearm, stole the items, and fled the scene.
The victim initially reported the incident to his father, who lives nearby. Following the robber, the victim's father encountered him in one of the grocery stores in Purvciems. There, a physical altercation occurred between the victim's father and the robber, during which the weapon fell from the perpetrator, after which he fled the scene with the stolen items.
The next day, a call was received about a similar robbery that took place in downtown Riga. A 14-year-old boy had posted an advertisement in "Telegram" to sell a "PlayStation" gaming console. During the meeting, the potential buyer threatened him with a knife and then stole the gaming console.
Employees of the Riga Regional Department of the State Police — Northern Division of Riga — in cooperation with colleagues from the Eastern Division of Riga, conducting operational activities, established that both crimes were committed by the same person — a young man born in 2006. On March 4, police officers arrested the suspect. He had previously come to the attention of the police.
The police found the stolen gaming console, which had been pawned at a pawn shop, and after conducting procedural actions, it will be returned to its owner.
In connection with the incidents, two criminal proceedings have been initiated under the first part of Article 176 of the Criminal Law — for robbery. For such a crime, the law provides for imprisonment for up to five years, or short-term imprisonment, or probation supervision, or community service, or a monetary fine — with or without confiscation of property.
The State Police urges individuals to review the photograph of the suspect young man and to come forward if they have also been victims of this person's illegal actions. The police can be contacted at 67086418 or 112.
The State Police reminds that no person is considered guilty until their guilt in committing a crime is proven in accordance with the law.
