Two men detained in Riga over repeated fuel thefts

State Police detained two men in Riga in late July on suspicion of repeatedly stealing fuel from several petrol stations. Both suspects have been remanded in custody, the force said.

The arrest followed a report on 27 July from a filling station in the Krasta Street area of Riga. A customer had filled 120 litres of fuel and driven off without paying. While checking the neighbourhood, officers spotted a Volkswagen Passat matching the description at another station. With additional units, the car was stopped on Latgale Street in Riga.

The two detained men, born in 1972 and 1977, had previous convictions. The younger man had earlier been sentenced for fuel thefts from petrol stations, while his accomplice had convictions for thefts from other types of retail outlets. The 1977-born driver had no driving licence, the car had not passed a valid technical inspection and its licence plates had been stolen from another vehicle.

A search of the car found 0.34 grams of amphetamine. In the rear seat there was a plastic barrel containing petroleum products, and in the boot four cans of various sizes also contained petroleum products. In total, about 400 litres of fuel were seized. The driver’s behaviour suggested he might be under the influence of narcotics, and both men were sent for alcohol, narcotics and psychotropic substance tests; the results are pending.

Security staff at the filling station told police that on 27 July the men had carried out four thefts at the station in the Krasta Street area using the said car. Police have established that the pair may also have stolen fuel from other stations in the Riga region, switching between stolen licence plates.

A criminal case has initially been opened under Article 180, Part 1, of the Criminal Law concerning theft of a small amount, which carries a penalty of up to one year’s imprisonment, short-term imprisonment, probation supervision, community service or a fine. During the investigation, an additional charge is expected for unlawful possession of narcotics. An administrative process has also been started for driving without proper number plates and without a valid technical inspection. On 29 July, both suspects were placed in custody.

State Police reminds that no one is considered guilty until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law.