When the police stop a drunk driver, they find a kidnapped, naked man in the trunk of the car

At the beginning of April this year, the South Vidzeme station of the Vidzeme regional administration of the State Police arrested men born in 1982 and 1978 on suspicion of kidnapping. In connection with the incident, a criminal proceeding has been initiated, and the pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

On April 2, 2024, shortly before midnight, officials of the response department of the South Vidzeme precinct of the Vidzeme regional administration of the State Police, while patrolling in the Cēsi region, stopped a Citroen Berlingo car driven by a man. During the breath test of the driver, it was found that the man born in 1982 sat behind the wheel under the influence of 2.38 ppm. During the inspection, police officers noticed that someone was in the trunk of the car. During the inspection of the car, a naked man with physical injuries was found in the trunk. The injured man was taken to a medical facility, where minor injuries were recorded.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offense – both the driver of the car and the passenger sitting next to him. It should be noted that the driver of the car and the injured man are acquaintances.

During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the men born in 1982 and 1978, while under the influence of alcohol, came to the place of residence of the victim in Cēsi county, where they inflicted physical injuries on a man born in 1961 by using violence. After that, the victim was forced to undress and climb naked into the luggage compartment of the vehicle “Citroen Berlingo”.

During the investigation, it was established that the man born in 1982 wanted to settle accounts with the victim, driven by a personal motive for a possibly earlier incident.

At the moment, the suspect status has been applied to both persons, as well as a security measure has been applied, which is not related to deprivation of liberty.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated for the incident according to the first part of Article 153 of the Criminal Law, that is, for the kidnapping of a person. Punishment with deprivation of liberty for a period of up to five years or with temporary deprivation of liberty, or with probation supervision, or with community service, or with a fine.

The State Police reminds that no person is considered guilty until his guilt in committing a criminal offense is proven in accordance with the law.