Only in Echmiadzin Around 20 Car License Plates Stolen: Uncovered

The police recently addressed the cases of car license plate theft uncovered by the criminal investigation department of the Vagharshapat police station. It is worth recalling that a 25-year-old man living on Pushkin Street in Echmiadzin was detained on suspicion of stealing license plates and demanding money from drivers in exchange for their return.

During a personal search, stolen license plates from vehicles were discovered. It became clear that the detained individual had regularly stolen license plates from cars and, by contacting the owners through Telegram, had demanded money for their return. The young man was presented to the territorial investigative body, where criminal proceedings were initiated regarding the incident.

As part of the criminal case, operational-search measures were undertaken, leading the Vagharshapat police to gather factual evidence that the 25-year-old from Echmiadzin did not act alone but rather with an 18-year-old resident of Nor Hachn city. The latter was found in the capital and was detained by the Vagharshapat police, and subsequently presented to the territorial investigative body, where he provided a confession.

According to currently known data, they have stolen about 20 license plates only in Echmiadzin. It was also revealed that license plates were stolen in the administrative districts of Kentron and Norq Marash in Yerevan. The circumstances of the cases are being clarified during the preliminary investigation.

The police once again remind that, according to a decision by the government of the Republic of Armenia dated July 15, 2021, it is permitted to issue duplicates of lost or stolen license plates, which citizens can obtain from the vehicle registration and inspection divisions of the police. This means that vehicle owners are now protected from such criminal encroachments.