Police officers from Jelenia Góra detained a 36-year-old city resident suspected of a series of crimes committed in Lower Silesia and other parts of the country. The man allegedly threatened a bus passenger with an object resembling a weapon, stole cars and license plates, and drove despite having his driving privileges revoked. The court ordered his two-month pretrial detention.
Investigators established that the suspect had been active from mid-March until April this year. According to police, he allegedly committed the crimes while in recidivism, which may significantly affect the length of any potential sentence. The victims' losses were estimated at several thousand zlotys.
Threats on a bus involving a replica gun
One of the most serious incidents took place on March 17, at around 9:00 p.m., on a city bus in Jelenia Góra. According to the officers' findings, the 36-year-old threatened another passenger with death.
The perpetrator allegedly used an object resembling a firearm. Police later established that it was a replica—a pellet gun.
Breakthrough thanks to an off-duty police officer
The arrest took place on March 19. An officer from Police Station II in Jelenia Góra, while off duty, noticed a man matching the description of the wanted suspect.
The officer immediately informed the duty officer and passed on information about the man's movements. Thanks to the rapid coordination of the operation, the suspect was arrested within a few minutes.
Thefts of two Opel cars
During the further investigation, police established that the man allegedly stole two Opel cars on March 30 and April 7 in Jelenia Góra and Karkonosze County.
According to investigators, the suspect also stole license plates from other vehicles and installed them on the stolen cars. While driving one of them, he allegedly also stole fuel from a petrol station.
Break-in at a hotel in Siedlce
The 36-year-old also faced a charge of burglary at a hotel in Siedlce. Police analyzed surveillance footage and the collected evidence, which allegedly confirmed his involvement in this crime as well.
During the operation, one of the stolen vehicles was found. The car was parked in Szklarska Poręba.
He faces up to 15 years in prison
The man was placed in a police detention facility and then brought before the prosecutor. At the investigators' request, the District Court in Jelenia Góra ordered his two-month pretrial detention.
Given the charges and the fact that he allegedly acted as a recidivist, the 36-year-old faces up to 15 years in prison.