The incident occurred on July 28 at a construction site in the Podgórzyn municipality. Police officers from the Police Station in Karpacz received a report about license plates being stolen from a parked delivery van and began searching for the perpetrator.
The officers analyzed the information they had gathered, as well as surveillance footage. This enabled them to identify a person suspected of committing the theft. She turned out to be a 36-year-old resident of Karkonosze County, who was charged on July 30.
The woman explained that she had acted because she wanted to help a friend from West Pomeranian Voivodeship. The friend was in conflict with a former employee who had allegedly appropriated a car belonging to her.
The 36-year-old was convinced that she had found the vehicle used by the man. She therefore took the license plates, wanting to prevent him from driving any farther. Only later did she realize that she had confused the cars and that the plates came from a completely different vehicle. She eventually drove back and returned them.
Police emphasize, however, that returning stolen property later does not mean that the crime ceases to exist. The very act of committing a theft constitutes a violation of the law, and the perpetrator faces criminal liability regardless of the motives for her actions.
The officers also remind the public that the theft of license plates can have serious consequences for the vehicle owner. In addition to immobilizing the car, there is a risk that the stolen plates could be used to commit other crimes or offenses.
The theft of license plates is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.