In the Trans-Baikal Territory, investigators from the police force recovered a stash of missing gold bars that had vanished from a courier service’s roadside shipment, according to MIA Media.
The incident unfolded on the evening of February 21, when authorities received a tip indicating that gold had been stolen from a secured Ural truck belonging to a courier company. The thieves forced entry by breaking the padlock protecting the cargo compartment and removed two sealed gold bars, collectively weighing over 61 kilograms. The total value of what was taken surpassed 200 million rubles, which spurred a rapid and high-priority response from the local law enforcement units.
Subsequent investigative steps led to the interception of the Nissan vehicle believed to have been used by the perpetrators. Inside the cabin were three residents of Chita who were detained for further questioning. Under interrogation, the suspects confessed to the robbery and revealed that they had buried the stolen gold along a roadside stretch between the village of Novaya Chara in the Amur Region and the town of Tynda. Police units promptly proceeded to the suspected location and located the ingots concealed in the terrain, confirming the confessions and closing a crucial gap in the case.
Further examination showed that the attackers had studied the logistics of transporting gold from the mine site to the Kalar district and had crafted a premeditated plan to carry out the robbery. They avoided contact with local residents, chose to remain in their vehicle overnight in a wooded area, and prepared food over a campfire, actions aimed at reducing the chances of early detection. After the theft, at least one of the criminals changed clothing and footwear, a detail that illustrated their attempt to obscure their identity during the escape. A criminal case has been opened under Article 158, Part 4 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, and proceedings continue to detain the suspects as the investigation expands to gather additional evidence and testimonies.
Earlier reports indicated another incident in which an alcohol-impaired driver attempted to switch seats with a front-seat passenger during a traffic stop near Abakan, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety and criminal activity in the broader region.