A man who is suspected of taking 46 rubles (about $2) from a panhandler in South Russia’s Astrakhan Region faces up to ten years in prison if found guilty, the local interior ministry department said on Thursday.
The suspect, who threatened his victim with a knife, immediately left the scene, and the victim informed the police. The man was detained by a police patrol shortly after, still in possession of both the knife and the money.
“The 28-year-old suspect initially denied involvement, saying he borrowed the money to buy a bottle of vodka. However, he admitted robbery after eyewitnesses testified against him,” the department said.
The suspect already has a criminal record of theft, robbery and poaching. The charges of robbery against him entail a maximum punishment of ten years in prison.
