Kouvola armed robberies suspects remanded in custody

Two men have been remanded in custody by Kymenlaakso District Court after being charged in connection with two armed robberies in Kouvola, police in south-eastern Finland said on Friday.

The suspects, both local residents, are accused of robbing two young adults at gunpoint in the Sarkola district near the railway station and city centre on Wednesday evening. During one of the incidents a shot was fired and physical violence was used, though the victims sustained only minor injuries, police said.

Rikoskomisario Nina Hietanen of the South-Eastern Finland police noted that armed robberies are uncommon in the region.

Investigators continued searches for evidence in Myllykoski on Friday, following earlier operations on Wednesday and Thursday. Myllykoski lies about 15 kilometres from the reported crime scenes.