In Kandalaksha, a town in Russia’s Murmansk region, police stopped a car-service worker who allegedly kept a vehicle sent for repairs. Investigators say the person, while intoxicated, took the car for a spin around the town instead of returning it after the repairs. The regional Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the incident triggered an official inquiry and a formal public statement.
Officers noted a strong alcohol odor on the driver at the stop. The driver refused a field sobriety test and did not present a valid license. He was taken to the local police station for checks, which showed the vehicle had been entrusted for maintenance, yet the worker allegedly drove it around the city instead of completing the repair work. This sequence led police to open a criminal case and file charges under applicable provisions of the Criminal Code.
The police update described the suspect as an individual accused of a property crime under Part 1 of Article 166 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers unlawful use of another person’s vehicle with intent to steal. The maximum penalty under this provision can reach up to three years in prison in certain circumstances. The investigation continued to determine the full scope of the alleged offense and any related charges beyond the initial theft claim.
As the case moves forward, the suspect was placed under house arrest while further measures were considered. Beyond potential imprisonment, authorities noted penalties that could include fines and possible revocation of the driver’s license due to the refusal to submit to a medical exam. Officials stressed that refusals complicate the legal process and may lead to additional sanctions under traffic and criminal rules.
In a separate development, regional news also reported another driving incident in Voronezh involving a different motorist. Local reports described a case where a knife incident occurred in connection with a vehicle belonging to a deaf and mute driver. Details around this Voronezh event were still developing at the time of the latest public update and were under review by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Source updates from the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs indicated ongoing investigations and assessments of any potential safety implications for drivers and residents in the area. (attribution: Regional Ministry of Internal Affairs)