Ukraine police neutralize gang involved in violent robberies.

The police exposed a criminal group that is believed to have committed a series of robberies targeting the owners of private estates in the Bucha and Brovary districts in Kyiv region.

That’s according to the National Police press service, Ukrinform reports.

The gang leader was identified as a Kyiv resident, 29, who had been on the wanted list for gang-related crimes and carjacking. He also had two accomplices, the inquiry has learned.

In Irpin, the perpetrators broke into the house of a 70-year-old local man where they tortured him to find out where he kept his money.

In the village of Krasylivka, the gang robbed a family of a local entrepreneur, beating the homeowner, threatening to cut his ears off, and pouring gasoline on him, threatening to set him on fire. The victims gave away all their savings.

Read also: ICC reacts to Moscow putting court prosecutor on wanted list

It is noted that the Kyiv Region Police Department detained the suspects in Khmelnytskyi region, just as they were plotting another armed robbery. Two suspects are currently held in custody while the third member of the criminal group is currently abroad. He was charged in absentia.

Police carried out 14 searches, seizing automatic weapons, grenades, handcuffs, plastic clamps, door-cracking tools, bank cards, clothing used by the suspects on the job, and other physical evidence.

The gang members are facing up to 15 years in prison.

As reported earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine, as a result of special raids carried out in Odesa, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions, neutralized criminal groups that had been terrorizing and intimidating local residents.