Police have arrested a 34-year-old resident of Odesa who attacked a married couple over a mobile phone. The assailant injured both victims, striking the man with a rock and stabbing the woman with a knife. He faces up to 15 years in prison with asset confiscation.
This was reported by the press service of the National Police.
The incident occurred in the Kyiv district of Odesa. The criminal asked the couple for a mobile phone to make a call and fled with it. The couple chased him down, but he struck the man with a rock to the head and stabbed the woman in the shoulder. The man lost consciousness, and his wife called for help from passersby, who alerted the police and ambulance. The doctors provided medical assistance to the victims and released them home. The man sustained a head injury, while the woman suffered a stab wound to her shoulder.
Law enforcement officials revealed that the crime was committed by a previously convicted individual for theft and robbery residing in the Kyiv district. Police seized a knife from his residence, and other physical evidence from the crime scene was sent for examination. The stolen phone was sold by the assailant, and police are tracking its location.
"Based on the collected evidence, we have informed the suspect of the charges for assault with intent to steal, accompanied by violence dangerous to the health of the victim. This crime is classified under part 4 of Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment with asset confiscation. The court has ordered a preventive measure in the form of detention for the suspect," said Kateryna Boratynska, the senior investigator of the Odesa District Police Department No. 1.
Additionally, an investigation has been initiated regarding the bodily harm inflicted on the woman under Article 125 of the Criminal Code. Following the results of judicial examinations and other evidence collected during the pre-trial investigation, the investigators will provide a final legal qualification of the suspect's actions.
