A man stole a rifle and set his neighbor’s bed on fire in Mykolaiv region

In Bashtanka, a 53-year-old man, according to police, robbed his neighbor’s house, then returned and set fire to a bed to cover up the theft. Emergency responders notified law enforcement of the fire overnight on October 19. They extinguished the blaze.

The house was inspected by an investigative team from the Bashtanka District Police Department. They collected fire debris and other physical evidence, which was sent for forensic examination.

During initial investigative actions and operational search measures, police identified the victim’s neighbor as being involved and promptly tracked him down. The man had previously served a sentence for a particularly grave crime and was released from prison only this summer.

The man explained that he was intoxicated and recalled grievances against his neighbor, with whom he had a strained relationship. Knowing that no one lived in her house, he entered through a window. He stole a small-caliber rifle and electrical appliances, then returned and set fire to the furniture in an attempt to cover up his actions.

Investigators detained the man under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. Under the procedural supervision of the Bashtanka District Prosecutor’s Office, he was notified that he was suspected of two crimes:

• intentional damage to property by arson — Part 2 of Article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine;
• theft committed under martial law — Part 4 of Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The suspect faces up to 10 years in prison. The court is expected to decide on a preventive measure for him soon. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

Source: Mykolaiv Oblast Police.

Previously, we reported:

• In Mykolaiv Oblast, a man set his neighbor’s car on fire over a dispute about livestock grazing
• “Easy money” ended in suspicion: a lover of other people’s gadgets arrested in Mykolaiv Oblast
• “Criminal mastermind” from Korabelnyi: broke into someone else’s home through a window to make 20 hryvnias
• Neighbor feud spirals out of control: overnight arson, garage ablaze, and criminal charges
• Robbery during wartime: in Mykolaiv Oblast, a man beat up and robbed his elderly neighbor