Serial offender Kevin Smitt sentenced to seven years in prison by Viru District Court

Viru District Court found 42-year-old Kevin Smitt guilty of persistent theft and endangering a police officer's life, sentencing him to seven years in prison. During an attempted escape, Smitt drove at approximately 90 km/h off the road, causing his car to roll over and leaving the police officer with minor injuries. According to prosecutors, theft had become a deliberate source of income for the man over many years.

Viru District Court found 42-year-old Kevin Smitt guilty of both persistent theft and causing serious bodily harm, and sentenced him to seven years in prison. In addition, the man must pay court costs, penalties and compensate for the damage caused through civil claims.

Theft as a habitual way of life

Prosecutor Marge Voogma, who led the proceedings, described how committing crimes had become a normal way of life for Smitt over the years. "Smitt mainly stole easily resalable goods, including electronics, tools and branded clothing, but also vehicle rims together with tyres. The damage caused by the crimes amounted to more than 18,000 euros. The evidence gathered showed that the thefts were not random or isolated mistakes, but the man's deliberate way of earning income," explained Voogma.

Smitt has a lengthy list of previous convictions. In 2018, he was sentenced to just under four and a half years in prison, but in late 2020 he was released early on condition that he commit no further crimes during probation. "Unfortunately, the man resumed stealing just a few months after his release and in autumn 2022 he was sentenced to a new prison term," the prosecutor added.

Attempted escape ended in a crash

Since Smitt did not report to prison to serve his sentence on time, police were ordered to bring him in forcibly. Police officers went to the wanted man's residence, where he himself arrived at the same time. Despite the officers introducing themselves and informing him of the forced detention, Smitt decided to escape. He ignored repeated orders to stop and got into a vehicle parked in front of the house. One police officer managed to reach the front passenger seat, but Smitt began driving anyway. The escape attempt ended with the man driving at high speed off the road and the car rolling over.

According to Marek Aasa, head of the operational bureau of the Eastern Prefecture, police work always carries a certain risk. "Police officers train continuously to be prepared for various situations that may arise during work. Often a situation can escalate in seconds and decisions must be made very quickly," said Aasa, adding that fortunately the police officer sustained only minor injuries.

Prosecutor: consequences could have been much more serious

Voogma stressed that the situation could have ended far more tragically. "Smitt made a sharp left turn at approximately 90 km/h and deliberately disregarded traffic rules. He must have understood that he was placing the police officer in a life-threatening situation or could cause him serious bodily harm. A worse outcome was avoided only thanks to the police officer's rapid intervention, which helped prevent a collision with a tree," explained the prosecutor.

Voogma said the state must respond decisively to such incidents. "This case shows that we were not dealing with isolated mistakes or spontaneous decisions. Smitt committed crimes persistently and continued to do so even after previous convictions and early release. When a person abuses the opportunities given to him by committing new crimes and in doing so endangers the lives and health of others, the state must respond decisively."