In Kyiv, a man was detained who, according to media, took advantage of an air raid alert and broke the lock of a parked car to steal a phone. Regional outlets reported this at the end of September.
What is known
According to media, the suspect faces up to eight years in prison. This is a typical sanction for theft involving entry into a vehicle under martial law. The final punishment is determined by a court.
Details of the case may still change during the investigation.
Why thieves use alerts
During an alert there are few people on the streets and residents are in shelters. This lowers the chance that the thief will be noticed.
How to protect your car
- Do not leave things in the cabin, especially phones, wallets and bags.
- Park in lit areas and near cameras.
- Lock all doors and windows.
- Install an alarm with a notification to your smartphone.
- If your car has been broken into, do not touch the cabin and call 102.
What to do if a phone was stolen
Immediately block your SIM card, banking apps and accounts. A step-by-step guide is in our article “What to do if your phone is stolen or lost”.
The information is based on media reports.
