Two thieves, aged 30 and 35, were detained by Podolsk police on suspicion of a string of robberies. Both had prior prison sentences and were residents of Moscow. The two men rented an SUV, hid its license plates, and began prowling the night streets for parked cars whose tires and wheels looked valuable. Their method was simple and frightening in its efficiency.
When a suitable target appeared, the suspects used a wheel wrench and a jack to remove the wheels. They loaded the stolen rims and tires into the vehicle and sped away, leaving damaged but empty parking spaces behind. In this way, two cars on Obyezdnaya Doroga Street and in Flotsky Proyezd were stripped of their wheel assemblies. The owners faced losses totaling 180 thousand rubles as a result of the thefts.
The pursuit did not end on the street. The suspects were tracked to near one of their homes in Moscow, where officers moved in and detained them. The stolen wheelsets were recovered and returned to their rightful owners, bringing a measure of relief to the affected residents.
Criminal cases were opened under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, and a preventive measure in the form of detention was selected for the suspects. This step reflects the seriousness with which authorities view the crimes and the need to secure the evidence while the investigation proceeds.
Law enforcement officials indicate that the Moscow residents operated primarily in the Moscow region, and they pose questions about whether the suspects were involved in similar thefts in other towns, including Pushkino, Zhukovsky, Chekhov and Ramenskoye. Authorities are continuing to gather information, review surveillance footage, and interview witnesses to determine the full scope of the operation. The investigation remains active as detectives connect this case to a broader pattern of theft targeting vehicles with high-value tires and rims.
Residents are reminded to take precautions to protect their property at night. Parking in well-lit areas, using wheel locks, and securing vehicles with alarms can help deter opportunistic thieves. Community awareness and rapid reporting of suspicious activity play critical roles in preventing similar incidents in neighborhoods where such crimes have occurred. Police departments routinely coordinate with local residents to share information and implement safety measures that reduce the likelihood of future thefts.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward. While the immediate suspects face detention, the case highlights the ongoing challenge of auto theft and the importance of vigilance in protecting personal property. The community watches closely as investigators pursue the remaining threads of this case, aiming to deliver full accountability and closure for those affected by the thefts.