The National Police has apprehended the "overseer" of the city of Reni: here’s what is known about him.

In Odesa region, authorities apprehended the so-called "watchman" of the city of Reni, along with a member of his gang. They extorted money from local residents. Specifically, for the peaceful conduct of business or life in Reni, individuals were required to pay a certain percentage.

This was reported by the National Police press service on January 10. According to the investigation, the money obtained through illegal means was used by the criminals to replenish the "common fund" and support their criminal activities.

Investigators found that a 38-year-old resident of Reni, who had repeatedly encountered legal issues and served sentences for them, established a criminal group. He also positioned himself within relevant circles as the "watchman" of the city.

Members of the criminal group terrorized local residents and entrepreneurs for an extended period. To ensure a peaceful business or life in Reni, people had to pay a specific percentage. Those who refused to comply with the "rules" of the criminal underworld faced issues such as fabricated debts, car thefts, physical violence, and more.

Law enforcement collected evidence linking the "watchman" and his associates to a series of crimes. In one incident, the leader and a group member attempted to enrich themselves at the expense of a businessman. Under the pretext of delivering water, they lured the man into a house, where they began to beat him and demanded payment of $1,500 by a set deadline. Later, they claimed that the amount of the fabricated debt had risen to 370,000 hryvnias and threatened the victim to force him to sign an acknowledgment of debt.

On January 8, police, with support from the National Police's DSR power support unit, detained the so-called "watchman" of Reni and a member of his gang. Investigators informed both individuals of their suspicion under Part 4 of Article 189 (Extortion) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article's sanctions provide for up to ten years in prison with confiscation of property.

The criminals are currently in a temporary detention facility. A motion regarding their preventive measure in the form of custody will soon be considered in court.

"At the same time, the court is reviewing a criminal proceeding in which the detained criminal and four of his associates are accused of inflicting bodily harm, car theft, and hooliganism," the police added.

Who is involved?

It is reported that this concerns local resident Serhiy Chebanov, known in criminal circles by the nickname "Fashionable." He is the "watchman" for criminal authority Oleg Popesko.

Together with members of his controlled group, Chebanov was held in custody since May 2024 due to the brazen assault on National Police officers of Ukraine. However, on December 24, 2024, the court issued verdicts to mitigate the "preventive measures" for "Fashionable" and his accomplices.

"Fashionable" is friends with the mayor of Reni, Ihor Plekhov, and local judge Kostiantyn Sorokin. At least both celebrated the birthday of Popesko's trusted person, Volodymyr Dolhov, at Lake Kaghul last summer.