Two young offenders were caught after setting fire to a civilian vehicle and planning to ignite another. They face severe penalties for their actions.
This information was provided by the police.
During the curfew, which is not yet legally punishable, the girls set fire to a «Kia» car belonging to a local woman, parked near her home. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and reported the incident to the police.
With the analytical support from the criminal analysis department of the police in Odessa region, detectives from the regional police force, in collaboration with operatives and investigators from police station No. 1, established that two girls aged 17 and 18 were involved in the car arson.
One of the minors, while seeking a «quick» way to earn money via a messaging app, was recruited for a monetary reward to carry out arson on military and police vehicles. She was also permitted to set fire to any car, provided a white cross was previously affixed. Agreeing, she enlisted her 18-year-old friend for the task.
The girls found a suitable vehicle that met their «curator's» requirements and, waiting for nightfall, marked it with a cross, doused it with flammable liquid, and ignited it. The process was filmed on a phone to confirm the completion of their «assignment».
Later, they planned to burn another civilian vehicle, a «Renault», parked near the owner's residence.
The police apprehended the offenders just before they could execute their crime. They confiscated flammable materials, lighters, tape, and other items prepared for the arson, as well as mobile phones containing correspondence with the client and other items of evidentiary value.
Investigators detained the girls under procedural law and, based on the gathered evidence, charged them with intentional damage to property and attempted arson, committed in conspiracy by a group of persons. According to the sanctions of part 2 of article 194 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, they face up to 10 years of imprisonment.
The court has chosen house arrest as a preventive measure for the suspects. Investigative actions are ongoing under the supervision of the Primorsky District Prosecutor's Office in Odessa.
