On May 14, police officers who solved the armed robbery and beating of Volodymyr Hunchyk, director of the Lutsk Automobile Plant, were recognized at the premises of the Volyn Oblast Internal Affairs Directorate. Eleven law enforcement officers received cash bonuses from the hands of the former victim, reported the Western Information Corporation's own correspondent.
Eleven Volyn law enforcement officers received 3,000 hryvnias each, and the Oblast Internal Affairs Directorate received another 17,000 hryvnias for the department's technical equipment needs.
Among those recognized were police officers who took direct part in solving the crime and detaining the suspects. Operatives detained one of the criminals just a week after the crime was committed; the rest were placed on the wanted list and detained later. As of today, all four attackers have been convicted under Article 187 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and received sentences of 5 to 11 years of imprisonment.
"At first it was hard to believe that this crime would be solved, and in such a short time at that," Volodymyr Hunchyk admitted during the awarding of honors. "However, the police officers confirmed their professionalism and high moral qualities, proving that they truly do everything to ensure that crimes are solved and criminals are punished," he added.
Reference. Volodymyr Hunchyk is the head of the Supervisory Board of OJSC "LuAZ"; he suffered an armed attack on the night of August 8, 2004. Four unidentified individuals beat him and seized a bag containing about 4,000 US dollars, mobile phones, and documents. The management of OJSC "LuAZ" issued an appeal promising 50,000 hryvnias to anyone who would help solve the crime.