The trial in the case has already begun. The man—a repeat offender—has remained in pre-trial detention ever since his arrest on May 13, 2014.

The perpetrator’s modus operandi

Each time he entered a shop, the man was highly aggressive. He shouted and threatened people. In his hand, he held a metal replica of a pistol that closely resembled a real firearm. He pressed the fake gun against the victims’ stomachs or heads. He ordered them to leave or forced them into the back room. He then stole mainly cigarettes and money, while from the jeweler he took gold items.

Robberies at shops in Legnica

Sebastian S. committed the first offense early in the morning on January 31, 2014, at a grocery and liquor store. After pressing the pistol against the sales assistant’s stomach, he gave her a bag and ordered her to fill it with cigarettes. He caused losses of almost PLN 1,200. He committed the second robbery at a grocery store two weeks later, on February 14, 2014. After pointing the pistol at the sales assistant, he ordered her to go into the back room, while he stole cigarettes and PLN 500. He kept the weapon pointed at the victim the entire time. He caused losses amounting to PLN 2,500.

Brutal robbery at a jeweler’s shop in Środa Śląska

The very next day, February 15, 2014, S. went to Środa Śląska, where he had planned to rob a jeweler. After observing the shop beforehand, he entered it. He immediately pulled out the pistol and, shouting, pressed it against the sales assistant’s head and then her neck. He then pushed the woman into the back room, put handcuffs on her and chained her to the wall. Sebastian S. took gold items and PLN 300 in cash. The theft caused losses of almost PLN 80,000. The victim suffered bodily injuries resulting in a health disorder lasting less than seven days. Psychologically, however, the robbery was a traumatic experience for her.

The jeweler in Jawor fought off the perpetrator

After two and a half months, Sebastian S. planned to rob a jeweler in Jawor. On April 26, 2014, he traveled there by train, taking a bicycle with him as he intended to use it to escape. After entering the jewelry shop, he immediately attacked the sales assistant, threatening to use a weapon pointed at the victim’s face. He also grabbed the man’s clothing and then struck him near the head with the pistol barrel. The victim—who had already been robbed in the same shop two years earlier by another man using a hammer—did not give up even after the attacker knocked him to the floor. He pulled out an object resembling a gas gun and threatened the accused with it. The attacker became frightened and fled the shop, leaving behind a glove and the bicycle. He did not manage to steal anything.

The perpetrator’s capture, charges and detention

Sebastian S. was apprehended on May 13, 2014. The assistance of an expert in anthroposcopy was used for this purpose. The objects resembling firearms that had been secured from the accused were also examined. All of them turned out to be replicas. S. was charged with three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery. He committed all the offenses while a repeat offender, having previously served multiple prison sentences for thefts and burglaries. He was last released from prison in March 2013.

Sebastian S. confessed to the acts with which he was charged and gave explanations. It was established that he disposed of the stolen items by selling them to a fence and pawnshops in Lower Silesia.

At the prosecutor’s request, S. was placed in pre-trial detention. The case is now being heard by the District Court in Jawor.

District Prosecutor’s Office in Legnica/ii