Six individuals are set to face trial in St. Petersburg for a series of thefts targeting both intoxicated individuals and clothing stores. The group is accused of multiple incidents resulting in losses exceeding 600,000 rubles.

The St. Petersburg police investigation revealed that the group operated using two distinct methods since 2020. The first involved targeting intoxicated pedestrians under the pretense of offering private taxi services.

Once inside the vehicle, the victims were incapacitated, and their valuables, including money and electronics, were stolen. The suspects allegedly used the car’s heater to make the victims drowsy and more vulnerable to theft.

Four individuals involved in this scheme were apprehended in June of the previous year. They would persuade potential victims to share a taxi, inviting them to join a waiting Volkswagen with a “friendly” driver. During the ride, the victims were hugged and relieved of their valuables.

The second method involved stealing clothing from stores by removing anti-theft devices. The group used magnets to disable the security clips. They also used foil-lined bags to circumvent store security measures. The stolen merchandise was then sold online.

The criminal case has been transferred to the Kuibyshev District Court with an approved indictment. Three of the most active members, including the group’s leader, are in custody. One suspect is on the run and has been placed on a federal wanted list, his case has been separated into separate proceedings. The leader’s ex-wife is under travel restrictions, and another defendant is subject to certain prohibitions. Authorities have seized 118,000 rubles from the suspects to compensate for damages.