An unidentified thief who allegedly stole a substantial sum from a St. Petersburg businessman’s apartment remains at large. The incident involves a haul of approximately 9 million rubles and is being investigated after a security lapse in a residence lacking an alarm system was reported by TV channel 78. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities that can accompany private dwellings when proper security measures are not in place, especially in large urban settings.
The victim, a 60-year-old general manager of the construction firm Nevastroy, filed a formal report with the local duty station on November 9. He disclosed that his personal savings, stored securely in a metal safe, had vanished. In addition to rubles, the burglar allegedly took about 78.3 thousand euros, and roughly 2 thousand U.S. dollars. Altogether, the loss equates to around 8.64 million rubles. The scale of the theft has prompted discussions about how domestic security arrangements are planned and implemented for individuals holding sizable liquid assets.
According to statements from the applicant, the intruder could have entered the three-room apartment in the Vasileostrovsky district at any point between July 11 and October 26. At the time of the incident, there were no active security alarms protecting the property, which may have facilitated unauthorized access. This detail underscores the potential risk factors associated with older or unprotected residences used by high-net-worth individuals.
Law enforcement authorities have initiated checks as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are examining possible entry points, reviewing any available security footage, and interviewing residents or neighbors who might have observed suspicious activity during the referenced timeframe. The investigation focuses on reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the theft and identifying potential suspects who could have known the victim’s routines or understood the layout of the apartment.
The reported theft has raised concerns about financial security and the need for robust home protection, even in urban settings where many properties may appear secure from the outside. Experts emphasize the importance of integrated security measures, including alarms, reinforced locking systems, and regular checks of safes and access points. They also point out that keeping large sums of cash at home, even in a metal safe, carries inherent risks and should be balanced with safer alternatives such as bank deposits or insured vault storage.
While the investigation continues, residents and business owners in similar situations are reminded to assess their own security postures. Implementing layered defenses—physical barriers, electronic monitoring, and clear incident response plans—can mitigate losses in the event of a break-in. Community awareness and local policing efforts also play a critical role in deterring thefts and expediting leads when incidents occur.
As of now, detectives are pursuing all credible leads and coordinating with financial investigators to determine whether the stolen funds appeared in any other accounts or transactions. The case remains underactive scrutiny as authorities work to recover the embezzled assets and bring the perpetrator to justice.
channel 78.