He casually requested a bottle of vodka, only to reveal a concealed firearm from his jacket, aiming it at the saleswoman while demanding money from the cash register. The terrified woman, her hands trembling, complied with the bandit’s demands as he swiftly seized the loot and fled. For months, the case saw no breakthrough, and it appeared that the perpetrator might elude justice.
The incident unfolded within a store belonging to well-known chain Zabka in Jezyce in Poznań. The armed man entered, brandishing his gun, and made a dual demand for vodka and cash. The gravity of the situation left the saleswoman with no choice but to prioritize her safety, and she handed over the money as the entire event was captured by surveillance cameras.
Investigators initiated a relentless search for the assailant, despite the challenges in tracing him down. Although the authorities possessed his image from the recorded incident, it proved to be a prolonged process. The officers from the Jeżyce police station, however, demonstrated commendable dedication in identifying the culprit. Initial leads indicated that he had relocated from his last registered address, intensifying the search. Małgorzata Meloch from the Greater Poland police recounts, ‘It turned out that he did not reside at his last registered address, but his identity was confirmed. A search was initiated. The man’s image appeared on police websites and was also shared by the media.’
Subsequently, it was discovered that the fugitive had sought refuge from justice in Hamburg, avoiding Poland for an extended period. Upon his unexpected return, law enforcement, resolute and unwavering, apprehended him in Międzychód on February 14, with a district officer recognizing the wanted perpetrator. Following identification, it was confirmed that he was indeed the assailant sought by the police, as narrated by Małgorzata Meloch. Formally charged with armed robbery, he now faces a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison. Pending trial, he has been remanded in custody by court order.”
