In Irkutsk police detained two men suspected in a series of attempted thefts of expensive SUVs. The suspects were caught while breaking into a foreign car, and in their car police found a full set of tools for stealing cars, from lock picks and scanners to radio signal jammers and key programmers. Investigators believe the detainees may also be involved in other thefts of Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX vehicles.

The offenders were neutralized at the moment when the expensive foreign-made car was opened using special electronic devices. The SUV owners were at a nearby hair salon at the time.
In another vehicle, a BMW X5, which belongs to one of the detainees, police seized numerous special devices for stealing cars: more than two dozen so-called “twisters” for breaking ignition locks, scanners, radio signal jammers, a key and control unit programmer, as well as a radio station and a traumatic pistol.
It is known that the detained 43-year-old residents of Irkutsk had come to the attention of law enforcement agencies for committing similar crimes back in the late 1990s. According to operational information, they are now specializing in the theft and sale of Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX vehicles. It is possible that the stolen cars were sent to neighboring regions for further legalization.
A criminal case has been opened under Part 3 of Article 30 and Part 4 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (attempted theft committed by an organized group on an especially large scale).
As police officers believe, the detainees may be involved in a whole series of thefts of expensive cars. Within the framework of the criminal case opened, the suspects are currently charged with two episodes related to attempts to steal other people’s foreign-made cars. The investigative authorities intend to petition the court to impose a preventive measure in the form of arrest on them.
Citizens who have any information about the suspects’ criminal activities are asked to contact: 21-68-05 or 02.
Based on materials from the press service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the city of Irkutsk