Two Kaluga residents, born in 1986 and 1983, were detained on suspicion of stealing a stagecoach in the Kaluga region. This information comes from MIA Media and follows a high-profile incident that involved a postal van being robbed in early February 2023 in the Maloyaroslavetsky district, where more than 2 million rubles were taken. The case illustrates how authorities responded to a calculated attack on postal workers during a routine delivery, and how investigators traced the crime to its source through careful follow-up work.
According to the report, the assailants struck as the vehicle driver was busy unloading packages. They seized cash and valuables, leaving the stolen mail and the vehicle—an underpowered UAZ—hidden in a forested belt. The police quickly pieced together the probable vehicle involved and began a concerted search to locate the suspects and recover the stolen goods. The initial hours after the robbery were marked by rapid collaboration between patrol units, crime scene investigators, and investigative teams that specialize in tracking stolen property and identifying routes used by criminals.
During subsequent operational search activities and investigative actions, law enforcement established the car used by the suspects and identified their identities and whereabouts. After confirming their location, officers detained the hijackers within Kaluga’s jurisdiction. This rapid response is credited to the coordinated efforts of investigators who combined vehicle tracing with corroborating evidence gathered at the scene and through witness statements. The detainees were then taken to the courthouse for processing, where prosecutors opened proceedings under a specific provision of the Criminal Code related to robbery on a particularly large scale. The charge carries a potential prison sentence ranging from eight to fifteen years, reflecting the severity of the offense and the impact on stage services, workers, and the public trust in postal operations.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that the suspects had carried out a similar theft previously, with a combined loot of approximately 2.4 million rubles. This pattern of prior criminal activity underscores the need for ongoing monitoring of repeat offenders and a multilayered investigative approach that combines on-site evidence, financial tracking, and link analysis across incidents. In this case, investigators emphasized the importance of rapid vehicle identification, timely detention, and a strong evidentiary record to support the charges and ensure accountability under the law. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by postal workers during daytime deliveries and the importance of secure procedures, enhanced surveillance, and prompt police response to safeguard mail and money in transit. In the wake of the incident, authorities reiterated their commitment to protecting essential services and countering organized theft networks that target critical public infrastructure. The case continues to unfold as prosecutors advance the legal process and further inquiries aim to determine the full extent of the suspects’ criminal involvement and any possible accomplices in other regions.