Umag: Man Threatened to Burn Down House Over Someone Else's Debt
Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect for threats and unlawful collection, targeting a 26-year-old and his family.
Police arrested a 37-year-old suspect for threats and unlawful collection, targeting a 26-year-old and his family.
The Umag police have completed a criminal investigation and arrested a 37-year-old Croatian citizen suspected of the criminal offenses of threats and unlawful debt collection. According to the Istrian Police Department, on August 13, 2026, the suspect used a messaging app to demand money from a 26-year-old man, claiming the latter owed a debt to another person.
To increase pressure, he threatened to set the family home on fire, and then sent the victim a photo of a gasoline canister placed in front of the house. The threat caused fear and distress not only for the 26-year-old but also for a 55-year-old family member living in the same house. To make his threats seem more serious, he allegedly sent the young man a photo of a gasoline canister placed in front of the house, aiming to instill fear, as reported by the police.
The Istrian Police Department stated: "Since the threat caused fear and distress for the victim and the 55-year-old family member, who also lives in the said house, police officers arrested the perpetrator."
After the criminal investigation was completed, the suspect was taken to the custody unit of the Istrian Police Department on the morning of August 16, 2026. The police released information about the case on August 17, 2026.
The incident occurred in the Umag area, and the suspect is a Croatian citizen. Glas Istre and Istra Terra Magica reported the information from the Istrian Police Department, which conducted the investigation. According to the Istrian Police Department, everything happened last Thursday.
