A local resident of Taishet bought a toy gun as a gift for his son and decided to test it by pointing it at a random woman. This incident was reported to the Irkutsk regional police. [Source: Irkutsk regional police]
On October 18, a resident contacted law enforcement to say that an unidentified person had frightened his 54-year-old mother by pointing an object that appeared to be a gun toward her. At the time, the woman was on a phone call with her daughter but managed to notice two strangers approaching. [Source: Irkutsk regional police]
One of the men turned to his companion and said, Do not do this, but his partner did not listen. He advanced toward the passerby, pressed the pretend weapon to her forehead, and demanded money. When he saw the victim’s terrified reaction, he lowered his hands and apologized, explaining that the gun was not real and that it was bought as a toy for his son. [Source: Irkutsk regional police]
Investigators identified the perpetrator as a 40-year-old local man with prior convictions. A new theft case has been opened against him, and he remains in custody. [Source: Irkutsk regional police]
Reports from Khabarovsk indicate that youths there have been seen using toy guns to threaten people. [Source: Irkutsk regional police]