Authorities apprehended a 34-year-old resident of Odesa who assaulted a couple on the street while trying to steal their phone. The offender injured both victims, hitting the man with a stone and stabbing the woman with a knife. He faces up to 15 years in prison with asset confiscation.
This information was shared by the press service of the National Police.
The incident occurred in the Kyiv district of Odesa. The attacker asked the couple for their phone for a supposed call, then fled with it. The couple chased after him, but he struck the man in the head with a stone and stabbed the woman in the shoulder. The injured man lost consciousness, while his wife sought help from passersby, who called the police and an ambulance. Medical personnel provided assistance and released the victims to go home. The man suffered a head injury, and the woman had a stab wound in her shoulder.
Law enforcement officials determined that the crime was committed by a previously convicted individual for theft and robbery from the Kyiv district. During a search of his residence, police found a knife, along with other material evidence from the crime scene, which was sent for examination. The stolen phone has been sold, and police are working to determine its whereabouts.
"Currently, based on the gathered evidence, we have informed the suspect of the charge of assault with the intent to steal property accompanied by violence, which constitutes 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 with asset confiscation. At our request, the court has chosen custody as a preventive measure for the suspect," said Senior Investigator of the Odesa District Police Department No. 1, Kateryna Boratynska.
Additionally, an investigation has been initiated against the perpetrator for causing bodily harm to the woman under Article 125 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The final legal qualification of the suspect's actions will be provided after the completion of the preliminary investigation and the collection of all evidence.
