Police in Odesa have apprehended a young man who set fire to two cars in the Khadyzhibey district. The suspect has been taken into custody, facing up to ten years in prison.
Information about the fire near a residential building on Kosmonavtiv Street was reported by rescuers who extinguished the blaze.
Fortunately, no one was injured. The police have launched a criminal case for intentional damage to property.
The criminal investigation department, along with detectives, identified the 25-year-old Odesa resident as the perpetrator. The day before, he purchased gasoline and, early the next morning, arrived in a rented car, doused the «Hyundai» and «Mitsubishi» with flammable liquid and ignited them, then fled the scene.
As a result of the fire, the vehicles sustained significant damage. Police later tracked down the arsonist in another area of Odesa.
During a search of his vehicle, investigators found scales and 47 packages containing substances that may be narcotic in nature. These have been sent for examination.
The man refused to provide any testimony. Based on the evidence collected, investigators have informed him of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for willful damage to someone else's property through arson. The maximum penalty for this crime is ten years of imprisonment. The court has chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention with the possibility of bail set at 242,240 UAH.
Regarding the seized substances, police have initiated a case under Part 1 of Article 307 of the Criminal Code for illegal production, acquisition, storage, transportation, or sale of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Following the forensic examination, a decision will be made regarding suspicion of drug-related crimes.
Investigative actions are ongoing under the supervision of the Khadyzhibey District Prosecutor's Office in Odesa.
All circumstances and motives for the crime are being established.