Law enforcement officials have apprehended an individual involved in the theft of a vehicle in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district. The suspect now faces criminal charges.

In early July, a resident of the Tatarnbunar community reported to the police about the theft of his «SUZUKI» vehicle. According to him, he had parked his car near the cemetery, leaving the doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition, and went to the cemetery. Upon returning, the car was gone.

Eduard Kolomiiets, the head of police station No. 2 of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, stated that within an hour of the report, officers identified the perpetrator. The offender turned out to be a local resident who, under the influence of alcohol, got into the unlocked car and drove away. He was located at his residence, and the vehicle was seized and returned to its owner.

Additionally, it was discovered that the man lost control while driving and crashed into a fence. He did not present his driver's license when asked by the police.

During the investigation, sufficient evidence was gathered to charge the suspect with unlawful seizure of a vehicle. According to part 1 of Article 289 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, this crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi District Prosecutor's Office.

Moreover, the police issued protocols against the suspect for Article 124 (violating traffic rules that caused damage to a vehicle) and part 1 of Article 130 (driving under the influence of alcohol) of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The administrative materials have been forwarded to court. The maximum penalty for these offenses is a fine of 17,000 hryvnias and the deprivation of the right to drive for up to one year.

Furthermore, the police issued a decision under part 1 of Article 126 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (driving without a valid driver's license) and imposed a fine of 425 hryvnias.

The police urge citizens to take responsibility for safeguarding their property, especially vehicles. Do not leave keys in the ignition, lock your doors, and activate alarms, even for short periods. Drivers are reminded never to drive under the influence of alcohol, always carry their driver's license, and strictly adhere to traffic regulations.