Reader:
I am a resident of Osiecznica, and the village is being plagued by a local thief. He is known to everyone in the area, and almost every resident has a problem with him. He tries the handles of cars and houses; if he finds an open door, he enters and takes whatever he can. The police have been notified many times, but the thief is still at large.
The problem, the Osiecznica resident writes, is complicated by the health condition of the man in question, who was probably involved in some kind of accident.
The Reader added: “In my opinion, this man should be placed in a secure psychiatric hospital ward. I caught him in my brother-in-law’s car in my yard; he had not managed to steal anything then and said he was looking for some change for beer. Every neighbour has a similar problem with this man; he entered several people’s homes. Some beat him up, while others reported the matter to the police. But the thief is so brazen that he claims the police will drive him home.”
What does the police say?
As we managed to establish, the case is very well known to police officers in our county. They had previously intervened in Osiecznica many times because the man mentioned by the Reader was disturbing the public peace and order. (At the time, it ended with fines.)
Only recently did officers begin receiving reports that the suspect was committing thefts. The man has already been charged. He himself admitted to several offences. His fate will now be decided by the court. Explanatory and preparatory proceedings are under way.
Let us recall that theft is punishable by up to five years in prison. We will return to the subject.