Impersonating a Social Service Worker, Money Stolen

The investigation of a criminal case on the incident of armed robbery and apartment burglaries has been completed in the Abovyan investigative department of the Kotayk regional investigative committee. Based on the evidence obtained, charges have been brought against a 47-year-old man. This information has been provided by the information and public relations department of the investigative committee of Armenia.

As previously reported, on January 17, 2019, the man, presenting himself as a social service worker, illegally entered the apartment of a resident born in 1947 in the city of Abovyan under the pretext of being a beneficiary and demanding documents proving her status.

During that time, taking advantage of the absence of the 71-year-old woman, the man searched for gold jewelry and money, but found nothing. However, he noticed the woman's gold ring. With the intent of stealing it, he resorted to violent behavior that endangered her life and health, hitting her several times on the head with a crystal vase while demanding the gold ring. The woman, fearing for her life and health, pretended to faint, after which the man removed the gold ring from her hand and fled the scene.

The comprehensive investigation conducted in the criminal case revealed other incidents of burglaries committed by the same individual. According to the data obtained during the investigation, he entered the apartments of elderly pensioners living alone, presenting himself as a social service worker, and unlawfully gained access to their homes. Taking advantage of the homeowners' neglect, he stole money.

Based on the combination of evidence obtained, the 47-year-old man has been charged under the 2nd part of Article 175, points 3 and 4, as well as Article 34-177, part 3, point 1.1, and Article 177, part 3, point 1.1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia (6 episodes). Pretrial detention has been chosen as the measure of restraint against him.

The preliminary investigation has been completed, and the criminal case has been sent to the prosecutor supervising the legality of the pretrial investigation with an accusatory conclusion.

Notice: The suspect or defendant in the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, by a court decision that has entered into legal force.