Teenagers suspected in Joensuu grill trailer and courier attacks

Police suspect boys aged 14 and 15 of attempting to rob a grill trailer and robbing a food courier in Joensuu, Yle reports. The suspected crimes took place in Rantakylä around the turn of August and September.

On August 31, masked suspects threatened the trailer’s seller with a knife and tried to get inside. Three people fled on bicycles. The trailer was damaged with a bladed weapon the following day.

The suspects returned after midnight on September 2, masked and carrying bladed weapons, and knocked on the trailer’s doors. They again escaped by bicycle.

Police arrested one 15-year-old suspect after searching for the group, while two others escaped. The remaining two suspects were arrested on the morning of September 6. Before their arrest, the 14- and 15-year-olds had also allegedly robbed a food courier in Rantakylä the previous night, while masked and threatening the courier with a bladed weapon.

The suspects have said little in interviews and have not given a clear motive, police said. The grill trailer incidents were investigated as attempted aggravated robbery and petty criminal damage; the attack on the courier was investigated as aggravated robbery. A security camera on the trailer recorded one of the attempted robberies.

Police have completed the preliminary investigation and will refer the cases involving the 15-year-olds for consideration of charges. Criminal responsibility begins at 15, but there is no minimum age for liability to pay damages.