Kathu police were called to the store by staff who said that the trio had stolen alcohol on several occasions. They had been caught on security cameras lifting the bottles, and the staff wanted police to put an end to their activities.
On Saturday evening officers staked out the store and collared the three men – Vadim Afanasyev, Nikolay Chuvilyaev and Evgeny Balashov – when they once again came into the Family Mart on a “shopping” expedition.
Police seized two bottles of tequila and a bottle of gin from them.
Two of the men were charged with theft and snatching while the third, who did not actually take any bottles but helped the others to drink the booze, was charged with receiving stolen goods.