A 52-year-old man from Zabaykalsky Krai has been apprehended in the Novosibirsk region after allegedly stealing fuel from a gas station and attempting to evade police. The incident occurred in the Barabinsky district, prompting a pursuit that ended with the use of firearms to disable the suspect’s vehicle.

The suspect, driving a minibus with Soviet license plates, filled his tank with gasoline at a gas station and drove off without paying. Authorities were alerted, and traffic police located the vehicle on the R-254 “Irtysh” highway at the 1282 km mark, heading towards Novosibirsk.

When officers stopped the minibus, the driver refused to cooperate, declining to exit the vehicle or provide identification. As police attempted to detain him, he tried to escape, ramming into a parked patrol car.

In response, law enforcement officers discharged their firearms, shooting out the tires of the fleeing vehicle. This action successfully brought the pursuit to an end, and the 52-year-old driver was taken into custody.

A criminal case has been initiated under Part 1 of Article 158 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, concerning the theft of fuel. In addition, the driver faces charges for driving with an expired license, lacking compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO), and disobeying a lawful order from a police officer.

Furthermore, authorities are investigating the driver for allegedly operating a vehicle with forged state registration plates. The minibus has been impounded and placed in a specialized parking lot. The decision regarding the suspect’s pre-trial detention is currently under consideration.