A 34-year-old man from Odesa was detained by police after he attacked a married couple on the street in an attempt to steal their phone. Both victims were injured: the man was hit with a stone, and the woman was stabbed with a knife. The assailant faces up to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property.

This was reported by the press service of the National Police.

The incident took place in the Kyiv district of Odesa. The perpetrator asked the couple for their mobile phone for a supposed call and fled after receiving it. The couple chased after him, but he struck the man in the head with a stone and stabbed the woman in the shoulder with a knife. The victim lost consciousness, while his wife sought help from passersby who called the police and an ambulance. Medical personnel provided assistance, and the victims were released home. The man suffered a head injury, and the woman had a stab wound to her shoulder.

Law enforcement officials determined that the attacker had a prior criminal record for theft and robbery. During a search of his residence, police seized a knife and other physical evidence, which was sent for examination. The stolen phone was sold by the suspect, and the police are trying to locate it.

"Based on the collected evidence, we have informed the suspect of charges regarding the assault with the intent to steal someone else's property, accompanied by violence dangerous to the health of the attacked person, that is, robbery committed under martial law. This crime is classified under Part 4 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and is punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years, including confiscation of property. At our request, the court has chosen a custodial measure for the suspect," said Senior Investigator Kateryna Boratynska of the Odesa District Police Department No. 1.

Additionally, regarding the bodily harm inflicted on the woman, a proceeding has been initiated under Article 125 of the Criminal Code. Based on the results of forensic examinations and other evidence collected during the pre-trial investigation, the investigators will provide a final legal qualification of the suspect's actions.