Three residents of Chelm, a town with a long history near the Polish border, found themselves at the center of an unusual theft spree that drew the attention of local police in Dorohusko. The crime involved a bold method: two adults and a teenage accomplice attempted to hitch vehicles onto a trailer using a hydraulic truck crane, aiming to disappear with cars parked along quiet stretches of road. Their plan relied on timing, opportunistic targets, and a little luck, but the operation was ultimately interrupted by a routine police patrol.
What made the case particularly striking was the composition of the group. The suspects were a 62-year-old man, a 52-year-old man, and a 16-year-old boy. Their ages spanned nearly five decades, yet they shared a single, reckless objective—to expropriate vehicles left unattended on the roadside. The two adults had prior experience with similar schemes, and the teenager—potentially drawn into crime by circumstance or influence—became a key participant in the operation. The grim fact that two prior thefts had already been confirmed established a troubling pattern rather than a one-off incident.
In practice, the gang operated with a simple, grim logic. They would identify a car parked in a low-traffic area, an overlooked vehicle with little chance of immediate confrontation. The plan was to arrive equipped with a hydraulic crane, attach the vehicle to a trailer or platform, and drive away, ideally without attracting attention. The criminals appeared to rely on the assumption that the owner or any bystander would be few and far between, allowing a quick, decisive extraction before anyone noticed and called for help. The margins of risk were narrow, and timing had to be precise for the theft to succeed.
The operation that finally drew the briefest glimmer of success into the thieves’ plans occurred in a largely deserted setting. A green Nissan Almera parked on the roadside seemed an easy target. The vehicle’s isolation was appealing to the criminals, who believed the absence of witnesses would guarantee a clean getaway. Yet destiny had a different idea. A police vehicle happened to pass by, and the routine check quickly escalated into a decisive confrontation. The would-be thieves were unable to present a credible explanation for their actions, and the ruse of simply clearing the road of abandoned cars collapsed under scrutiny.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the police had already uncovered more evidence linking two of the adults to other thefts involving distinct vehicles, including a Nissan Qashqai and a Volkswagen Passat. The cumulative evidence pointed to a modus operandi that involved habitual planning, execution in relatively quiet locations, and a systemic approach to removing unattended cars from public roads. With the new findings, authorities proceeded to charge the two adult residents of Chelm with theft and attempted theft. Under local law, both could face a prison sentence of up to five years, reflecting the severity of their actions and the potential danger they posed to others on the road. The teenage participant, judged to be in need of protection and guidance, was referred to the Family and Youth Affairs Department to assess appropriate interventions and support, given his age and the need for safeguarding measures.
The case underscores a broader lesson about vehicle theft in regions where roadside abandonment and opportunistic crime can intersect with vulnerable individuals. It highlights the importance of rapid police response, the vigilance of drivers, and the ongoing need for communities to address the social factors that can push younger people toward illegal activity. It also serves as a reminder that even seemingly low-risk targets, such as a car left on a quiet road, can become the focal point of professional-looking theft schemes when criminals come prepared with the right equipment and a ready excuse. As investigations continue, authorities emphasize that every public safety incident carries lessons for prevention, detection, and swift accountability.
Note: the incident is noted within the local press coverage and law enforcement reports that document the methods and outcomes of the case without naming individuals beyond what is legally permissible. The focus remains on preventing future occurrences and safeguarding road users from similar schemes.