Radio Interview with ex-private detective, lawyer from Riga, Latvia

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Detective Latvia interview

Radio Interview Private Detective Latvia | Case Study

Good morning.

Today in the radio program Good Morning our guest is Michael Chernousov, PhD, lawyer, private detective ret. Police ret. Society Baltic Security Chair. Baltic International Academy prof.

Celebrating day of Police we have the interview. You as ex-chief of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga, Latvia still celebrate the Police Day (Milicija Day).

Having a chance want to congratulate all active and retired officers in the 100 years

commemoration. Agents, undercover agents, police assistance do celebrate the holiday. And indeed the persons that were getting to Police also do celebrate. Almost everyone had been visiting the Police facilities thus the holiday is for everyone.

One or another way every persons  had to deal with police as victim, witnesses or suspects .

You used to be a head of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga one of the most dangerous districts back then – mid 80’s.

Very active years to remember with colleagues. Since 1991 I became a private detective.

As seservicemen had to obey the orders – we executed the orders. There are lot of media coverage on the situation during the USSR breakdown.

I do not wish to politicise the situation. But it was interesting time back then. There were number of cases.

One of the most serious cases during my career start was the investigation of the murder of 12 y.o. girl in Saulkrasti, Latvia. The murderer Sasha, Alexander. He stabbed the girl with the knife.

He had a series of murders. In the camp in Saulkrasti a murder group had been formed. I was responsible for the criminal investigation.

He lived in Riga, Latvia. During interrogations I, could not understand the psychology of the suspect. Alex used to be a soccer player, he was an informant for the Milicia (Soviet Police), he was married and had a socially active live. He had a small child.

At the day of murder he was laying on the beach and suddenly spotted  a victim. He used a covert methods to hide the crime.

I met with his wife, I talked to the Chiefs of Police, I offered that the murderer would come to us. More then 2 weeks a group of 10 best detectives was working on that case.

During the secuenc of events, I understood that Alex was a person of interest. Further, we resolved the crime.

If the person who killed the child deserved   the mentioning in the media. Do you think that he is still alive. I think that he is not.

You mentioned that is used to be interesting but not anymore, what do you men?

I mean that it used to be an overall “drive” . People used to work not for a money, due to the situation, maybe we used to be young. That was my way Ivan Ivanich, who referenced me. In the 22 High school Riga, movies, that motivated me to get into profession.

My colleagues experienced the same motivation. It was not due to the new flats it was due to the live style and among the colleagues.

You did graduated the Omsk, Russia High School of Police (Омская Высшая Школа Милиции МВД, СССР).  Why in Omsk? It was the only Special School. I tried more then once. From the second attempt I passed.

Have you served in the Army? In the Omsk it was boot – camp. I returned to my motherland – Latvia where I was born.

There were number of “bad – guys”. We did find the common language for the mutual benefits.

OPG – Organised crime has its own specifics . Indeed, there are changes. In mid 90’s there was a joke that “Criminality is striving for the Political Power”.

One of the cases we experienced that  particular of the mobsters was looking for the Political Power. We have apprehended the big boss in Riga at the Main Train Station. He was very curious who “set him up” . He received a 1 years sentence. After one year we met and in my office he asked: who was that beach? Who was that moll?  Who set me up? He did not understand who was the “moll”.  Further, we started to cooperate.

Phone calls… reminder that our guest is Michael Chernousov  Ex – head of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga, attorney, prof.

Phone call: vary good to hear your voice. Have you had an information on the case of 16th years old slaughter back in 80’s.

Yes, Markovnikov was my boss. It was a very challenging  time.

Why police support crime songs?

Is that due to the crime Romanitcs?

We used to have different equipment, it was our lifestyle. We had mutual respect with “Bad guys”. We used it for the normal cooperation.

You used to be called “Pigs” – (Menti) – was it OK?

I do not recall that it was a widespread nickname. There were  some negative names but it was a mutual respect that was not a priority.

Phone call : Good morning.

A loud case of the murder. I did my job. it was a well known person. Would not like to comment.

After Police you became a detective.

Was it a forced change?

I used to be a young  major of Police. I did quit. The position I was offered was humiliating for me.

After that time I became a private detective. Most of the cases private detectives deal with is due diligence, background check, fraud investigations, missing people.

About 5% of private detective work is adultery, cheating, infidelity investigations.

Have you had an interesting movie like cases?

For more then 20 years we experienced very complicated and interesting  case. Please advise the topic.

We as licensed private detectives are legitimate to participate in the criminal investigations, informing the the Police.

From other side as a lawyer. Not every one is capable to adjust one self for the new duties. That is not a moral issue that is to understand the legitimate thing. That is my choice whether to take the case or not.Lawyers to often to contact me to conduct the investigations.

Phone call: whether the crime have changed over the years.

Crime investigations is not a one time thing that is a process. There were time that some crime groups had influence of the particular sectors.

Nowadays the pattern is slightly different but the idea remains the same , in particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and former Yugoslavia

Phone call:

Was there a conflict of interest between the Law/ Special Service and Private sector.

Everyone is doing its job. There may not be a cooperation between the private investigators and law enforcement agencies a-priori. Indeed, it  would make more sense to cooperate.

Thank you!

www.mc-advokats.com

Brief translation by Baltic Security.

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Lithuania: car abduction turned into brutal murder of young woman.

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Staged road accident in Lithuania | killed lady

Car abduction as a murder of the young Lithuanian woman.

Blog is commemorated to the abducted and killed young woman  Eva Strazdauskaite.

As was reported by media the girl left Plunge, Lithuania   (Plunge, Lietuva) from her parents towards Vilnius, Lithuania on 5/03/17 evening. Cell phone connection was lost in the Kaunas district. At 1840 the phone was off. Relatives and acquaintances at once started to suspect the girl was abducted. On the night of 6/03/17 victim’s Audi A7 was found in the forest of Zeimiai, LT (Jonava District, Lithuania). On 10/03/17 it was reported the young woman was killed. Her body was found in the Kedainai, Lithuania district.

Police investigated that suspects staged the car accident on the highway and made to halt the Audi A7 driven by Eva Strazdauskaite. Suspects apprehended the female’s car and she was pushed into the trunk of suspect’s BMW. Then the criminals took the girl to the Kėdainiai district and killed her with a shovel. The whole body of the girl – a lot of damage. But most of the blows had to hit the head – head was hit more than ten times.

Police is convinced:  the girl was killed because of the car – Audi A7 (2014 – 2017 model). The suspects wanted to steal and then sell it. Based on the police investigation, the killers intended to get back to the car later, but it  was too late – the police was already by the car.

Until the exact sequence of events is established, it has already become clear why the girl was killed. During the interrogations, suspects Carolis Belyauskas, Liaonas Belyauskas and Mantas Belyauskas admitted that Eva Strazdauskaite could have survived if she had not tried to resist the suspects with active actions and threats.

The suspects stated they did not intend to kill Strazdauskaite, and thought that they would not have problems with the stolen car, but they were enraged by the girl’s words that she would report her abduction to the police and the suspects would have serious problems.

According to the stories of Liaonas and Mantas it becomes clear they decided to kill the girl because she had resisted, although she said,  she would not go to the police. The suspects were frightened that the girl would remember their faces, and later would recognize them and report to law enforcement.

It also became known that on March 5 2017 the brothers watched the victim near Kaunas, but did not think that it would be a girl. Seeing her car, followed her. The girl, realizing that she was being pursued, increased speed. It was not difficult to imitate an accident. When Audi A7 stopped, the men immediately attacked the girl and placed her in the trunk of the car. Her phone was thrown by the men on the road when they were traveling towards Kaunas.

At once after the abduction of female Karolis and Liaonas drove the car of E.S., but Mantas was following them by car that belong to one of the cousins. E.S. spent in the trunk several hours – from the abduction location, suspects drove to Marijampole, LT where their relatives and friends reside. The victim they wanted to dump somewhere at Russian or Polish border. Suspects even drove close to the border, but changed their plans. When they opened the trunk and started to talk to the victim. One of the suspects said that the girl asked her to let go, but hinted that she would not forgive them and report to the police. She also mentioned her friend, who is waiting for her in Vilnius, LT and has already contacted the police. It was after these words that the men decided to get rid of their victim

Baltic Security comments, notes, additions for car abductions: 

After analysis of the available in the national and international media, we would like to add a few words that hopefully would be never used. But more importantly, may save someones live.

Use common sense | Use common sense | Use common sense | Use common sense

Some brief ideas on how to act during the suspicious road situation |traveling by car in any country.

The bellow mentioned is based on green – orange – red level of awareness.

Green – no signs of trouble.

a) Check the surrounding.

a1) Surrounding OK –  car alarm ON.

a2) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

a3) Call the police & relatives.

a4) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

a5) Check the surrounding.

a6) If common sense | surrounding | police is OK = keep on the line with law enforcement.

Orange – something is NOT right.

b)  Check the surrounding

b1) Surrounding OK –  car alarm ON.

b2) DO NOT EXIT CAR.

b3) Call the police & relatives – cell phone no connection.

b4) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

b5) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED, driver’s window down for 10 cm, keep engine running/ ready to run/ ready to push the throttle.

Red – something is WRONG.

c) Check the surrounding

c1) Surrounding is NOT OK –  Keep CALM

(stay in lane | do not reduce or increase the speed | keep driving )

c2) Call the police & relatives – cell phone no connection.

c3) Do all you can to attract the attention

Do something crazy | Block the traffic | KEEP DRIVING

Red/Black 

SAVE YOUR LIFE.

You are out of the car and things are going bad:

d1) Forget who you are

d2) Behave calm | polite | not aggressive 

d3) Demonstrate weak eyesight 

d4) You DO NOT TALK!!! (murmur)

d5) Agree with everything.

d6) Nod your head, eyes, and body demonstrate devotion.

d7) …see rule #1.

***

1. GPS/Cell/Bluetooth jammers

There was information in the media that killers during the abduction used GPS/Cell/Bluetooth jammers during the crime. We have made our research and may state that jammers are illegal in Baltics. Notwithstanding jammers are illegal in Baltics it can be easily purchased online. Brief research reveals that range of such jammers is rather impressive. Handheld devices apx. 15 m but more expensive more then 150 m! However, we did not encounter massive offers for the Anti – GPS/Cell phone jammers availability or detection products for the general public.

2. Our experience in road staged attempts 

To begin with, we provided investigative services and experienced ourselves attempts of forced car abduction | attempts of road robberies. Thus, we do familiar with the subject matter. But it all was more then 20 years ago – in the “crazy 90’s” in the post-soviet countries. In this century such accidents are not common, especially for small Baltic countries. The worst thing we experienced in the Close Protection:

few beaten faces (friends of the client, they got what they wanted), drug addict knife attack attempt (prevented), face control (not letting the client to enter), drunk surroundings, negotiations with club security, NEVER en route issues.

Story #1 

Back in mid-nineties we were traveling to the Ukraine. The car was equipped with short-range radio (that was working only in Latvia). The car had an antenna that could have been placed on the car roof when needed. In the night, two cars approached on the empty road. It was realized that there is a pursuit. First thing that was done – no signs of concern.  No panic. Two vehicles were following the car for already 15 minutes. Back in year 1994 mobile phones only started to appear thus the car did not have cell phone capacity. When, we started to realize that it is a good time to take action we have placed an antenna to the roof. Within 2-3 minutes both cars, overtook us and we continued the journey.

Summary:

1. Stay calm, do not show the signs of fair.

2. Utilise all you have in order to avoid problems.

Story #2

Two hot-blood well-established entrepreneurs were traveling from Riga, Latvia to the adjacent resort city of Jurmala, Latvia. After successful business deal the businessmen had a fair amount of cash in the car and were going to celebrate the deal. Suddenly, a similar class car (LADA 2107) overtakes them and waving hands orders to stop. Two well-made guys decided to teach the freaks a lesson. They halt the car and 2 on 2 fight starts. What they missed was another car full of gangsters stopped behind them. Both well-made businessmen were severely bitten. Money were stolen.  The smartest move in that case that victims approached us Baltic Security. Thanks to our abilities within the few days all was returned with apologies to the victims.

Car Abduction party was member  of the well organised criminal group from Russia that was traveling Baltics with the purpose of “Hit’n’Run” robberies.

Summary:

  1. Do not overestimate your capabilities.
  2. Never underestimate the counterparty.
  3. Do not hope for the fair fight.
  4. Do not experiment with your connections.
 Refs: www.rus.delfi.lv | local and internatial media | comments
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Process Service by e-mail

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Article by Mark Peachman

I have personally done process service by email on several occasions and see no problem with  it in limited circumstances.

When I’ve done it, it has always been readily  accepted by the Courts. I think the key point is to clearly set out the full circumstances in your proof of service.

As process servers we have a duty to do everything legally possible to bring documentation to the attention of the intended recipient.

Email service would generally be a last resort when all else has failed.

Personally I would never consider it without first making telephone contact with the Respondent/Debtor or other intended recipient. Assuming they confirm their ID, but for whatever reason decline to meet, then ask them if they have an email address. If yes, obtain their confirmation that they are the sole person who has access to the email address.

Verbally advise them of the documentation you have for them, stressing key points, such as hearing details, any deadline or Penal Notice. Tell them that you intend emailing the documents to them and confirm that they are happy to receive in that manner. Request that they should confirm receipt  by email.

Scan the service documentation and attach it to a clear concise email, which refers to your telephone call to them and requests they acknowledge receipt by email. Ensure that the email subject line says something like “Strictly Private & Confidential FAO xxxxxxx only”. Set the email priority as “Highest” and do a read receipt.

If the email acknowledgment doesn’t come through, then phone them again and try to elicit confirmation that they have received and again request a short email confirmation.

Produce a detailed proof of service setting out the full circumstances – attempts to personally serve, the telephone contact, how the email address was secured, subsequent confirmation of receipt etc.

The proof of service should attach printouts of the service email and any email response.

Personally I feel email service only works well if the person you’re trying to serve is cooperating.

I don’t consider myself a process serving expert, but come next May I have been serving documents for 40 years, the first having been a High Court Writ when I was 16! I am a great believer in common-sense and total transparency. Whenever I’ve adopted service methods which could be interpreted as “unorthodox”, I’ve always set out everything in detail in my proof of service. I think that is the key and I’ve never experienced problems with service not being accepted.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards,

Mark

Author and full reference:

Mark Peachman
Communications Officer

The Association of British Investigators Ltd
The Brentano Suite, Catalyst House, Centennial Park, Elstree, WD6 3SY
+44 (0) 20 8191 7500

Published by: Baltic Security

Related:  Private Detective | Process Service
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