Group of seven in Vidzeme accused of multiple property thefts; police seek more victims

Authorities in Latvia have apprehended a group of seven individuals suspected of carrying out multiple property thefts across the Vidzeme region. The arrests follow an investigation into a string of burglaries that occurred between March and May of this year.

The group, which included two minors and five individuals under 19, along with one 38-year-old, allegedly conducted reconnaissance of properties before executing their thefts. Their primary targets were rural estates, where they stole diesel fuel from agricultural and forestry machinery. In several instances, garden equipment and tools, including a "Husqvarna" brush cutter, an "ECHO" leaf blower, and a "Makita" angle grinder, were also taken.

Stolen fuel was reportedly used by the group for their own needs, while other items were pawned or sold via social media. Police have initiated eight criminal proceedings related to these offenses, with charges potentially carrying up to five years of imprisonment. Authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of similar thefts in the Valmiera or Limbaži municipalities during the specified period and has not yet reported it to contact the police.