Latvian citizen faces trial for gold ring theft in Mažeikiai a decade ago

The Telšiai District Prosecutor’s Office has referred a criminal case to court involving a Latvian citizen accused of stealing jewellery worth over €11,000 from a store in Mažeikiai a decade ago, LRT reports.

According to the case, in April 2016, the man entered a jewellery store in Mažeikiai, posed as a customer, and asked to see wedding rings. While the staff displayed the items, he grabbed a tray containing 25 gold rings and fled. The damage was estimated at €11,400.

An investigation later identified the suspect as a Latvian national previously convicted of theft in other countries. He evaded law enforcement for years, hiding abroad. An international arrest warrant and a European Arrest Warrant were issued. After detentions in various countries, he was extradited to Lithuania in 2026.

The prosecution is also seeking to recover €6,110 in extradition-related costs incurred by the Police Department. The man faces charges of theft, punishable by a fine, restriction of liberty, arrest, or imprisonment of up to four years. The case has been forwarded to the Mažeikiai division of the Telšiai District Court.