Two men detained in Riga over series of fuel thefts from petrol stations
Police in Riga have arrested two previously convicted men for a series of fuel thefts from petrol stations; both have been remanded in custody.
Latvian State Police have detained two men in Riga over a series of fuel thefts from petrol stations. This is the second case of its kind within a month in which suspects have been arrested.
On 27 July, police received a report from a petrol station in the Krasta Street area saying that someone had filled up with 120 litres of fuel and driven off without paying. While checking the vicinity, officers spotted a Volkswagen Passat matching the description at another filling station. With additional officers called in, the car was stopped on Latgales Street. Inside were two men, born in 1972 and 1977, both with previous convictions.
The younger suspect had previously been convicted of fuel thefts from petrol stations, while the other had been convicted of thefts from other retail outlets. The 1977-born driver did not hold a driving licence, and the car had no valid technical inspection. Police also found that the vehicle was fitted with stolen number plates from another car. The driver's behaviour suggested he might be under the influence of narcotic substances. Both men were sent for examination for alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances; results are still pending.
Officers found 0.34 grams of amphetamine in the car. In the back seat there was a plastic barrel containing petroleum products, and in the boot there were four canisters of various sizes also containing petroleum products. In total, around 400 litres of fuel were seized, possibly obtained through criminal activity.
According to security staff at the filling stations, on 27 July the men carried out four thefts at petrol stations in the Krasta Street area using the same car. Police believe the suspects may also have stolen fuel from other stations in the Riga region, using different stolen number plates. On 29 July, both were remanded in custody.
Earlier in July, in a separate case, police detained a driver who had used luxury cars to steal fuel from petrol stations. So far, six criminal episodes have been identified in Riga and Pierīga, and police suspect he also committed fuel thefts elsewhere in Latvia.
