Police thwart prison-directed robbery and assault plot

Latvia’s State Police disrupted a plan organised from prison to rob and seriously assault a man, LSM reported.

Police began investigating in April over the suspected possession and distribution of amphetamine by an organised group, as well as the use of communication devices in prison.

During the investigation, officers learned that a three-member group planned to rob a man in June and seriously beat him. The alleged organiser, a man born in 1982, was in prison serving a sentence for illegal narcotics trafficking, the unauthorised acquisition and possession of firearms, and driving under the influence of narcotic substances.

The organiser allegedly ordered the robbery and instructed two accomplices, men born in 1999 and 1984, to inflict serious injuries on the intended victim by “smashing” and “breaking” his head. He also gave them information about the man, including his home address, daily routine and other details.

Police said the suspected motives were personal revenge and financial gain. The organiser knew the intended victim well.

On June 4, after investigative and procedural measures, officers arrested the two accomplices, who were free at the time. Acting on the organiser’s instructions, they had prepared for the robbery and arrived at the victim’s home.

One of the men put on a face mask, while the other prepared two metal pipes and sat in the back seat of a car, hiding behind tinted windows. Police then arrested both men to eliminate the risk to the intended victim’s life and health.

The two men were recognised as suspects in preparing to commit robbery as part of an organised group. The alleged organiser was also recognised as a suspect for the unauthorised bringing or keeping of communication devices in prison.