Two men posing as plumbers were arrested after stealing from apartments on Warsaw’s Ursynów and Mokotów districts.
The Arrest and Investigation
Police from the Warsaw Ursynów precinct have arrested two men suspected of carrying out a series of thefts using the “plumber” method. The suspects, claiming to be responding to water installation malfunctions, entered apartments in Ursynów and Mokotów districts, robbing unsuspecting residents. Total losses from the victims are estimated at nearly 80,000 Polish złoty.
According to police findings, the men posed as administrative or technical company employees. They would knock on doors, reporting a supposed water installation malfunction. After entering apartments, often occupied by elderly individuals, they exploited the residents’ trust and distracted them. While one suspect engaged the resident in conversation or gave instructions, the other searched other rooms, stealing money, jewelry, and documents.
Pattern of Crime
The crimes occurred in a total of four apartments – two in Ursynów and two in Mokotów. The suspects’ modus operandi was very similar in each case, allowing police to connect the incidents and launch intensive operational activities.
Detection and Charges
Thanks to meticulous work by criminal department officers at the Ursynów precinct, two men aged 38 and 42, who participated in the described incidents, were arrested last week. Both had previously been convicted of similar crimes. After being detained, they were taken to police custody.
Detectives from the precinct on Janowska Street have gathered evidence against the suspects. The two men were formally charged with four thefts, classified as recidivist offenses. The court, considering the prosecution’s request, decided to apply preventive measures in the form of temporary detention for three months.
Legal Framework
According to current provisions of the Penal Code, such offenses carry a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment, which – due to the perpetrators’ prior criminal records – could be increased by as much as half.
The proceedings in the case are supervised by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw-Ursynów.
Safety Recommendations
We appeal for particular caution, especially towards people claiming to represent various institutions. We remind of basic safety principles: Do not allow strangers into your apartments if you don’t know the purpose of their visit.
In case of any doubts, always verify the identity of such persons, for example, by contacting the building administration or the institution they claim to represent.
Pay special attention to the safety of elderly people, who most often fall victim to this type of fraud.
Suspicious behavior should be immediately reported to the police.
Persons who may have been victims of similar thefts but have not yet reported this are requested to contact officers from the Warsaw Ursynów Police Precinct.
