Finnish police are investigating the death of a man suspected of committing two violent armed robberies in Oulu. The suspect, a man in his thirties, died following police contact on Monday evening. Authorities suspect the man used a bladed weapon and what appeared to be a pistol during the crimes. The investigation is now proceeding as two counts of aggravated robbery and a separate inquiry into the cause of death.
According to the lead investigator, Detective Chief Inspector Janne Koskela, the suspect first ordered a taxi and commandeered the vehicle by threatening the driver with a bladed weapon and the imitation firearm. The man then targeted a fishing and hunting store, using the same weapons to steal a real pistol and compatible ammunition from the premises. Police later determined the weapon used in the robberies was not a real firearm.
Officers located the suspect through their own investigative work around 9 p.m. on Monday. Koskela stated police made "contact" with the individual at a public outdoor location. He confirmed police did not use force during the encounter but provided no further details about the nature of the contact or the events leading to the man's death. The genuine pistol stolen from the store has been recovered.
This incident raises immediate questions about police procedures and suspect management during high-risk encounters. Finnish police operate under strict national guidelines on the use of force and de-escalation, particularly with individuals potentially in crisis. The independent prosecution authority will typically review any death following police contact to ensure protocol was followed.
The case also touches on Finland's complex relationship with firearms. The country has one of Europe's highest rates of civilian gun ownership, rooted in hunting and sport shooting traditions. This access necessitates robust security at retailers selling weapons, a point this robbery will likely put under scrutiny. The fact the suspect sought a real firearm after using an imitation one suggests an escalation police managed to interrupt.
For international observers, this event highlights the generally low but present level of violent crime in Finnish cities outside the capital region. Oulu, a major tech and university hub in the north, rarely sees such brazen armed robberies. The police response and subsequent investigations will be closely watched, with outcomes potentially influencing national discussions on public safety, mental health interventions, and firearm storage regulations. The next steps involve forensic analysis and the completion of the mandatory death investigation.