Moscow, Mar 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A butcher at a meat processing plant near Moscow allegedly killed and dismembered a co-worker after discovering that the latter began stealing meat on his own, investigators said.

The suspect, a resident of Domodedovo near Moscow who has a previous criminal record, had been stealing meat from the plant together with his co-worker for months, investigators said.

In 2010, he began suspecting that his partner was also stealing meat on his own.

"He had been carefully planning the murder for half a year, thinking over every detail," investigators said.

They said the suspect made an axe and also bought a saw.

The suspect allegedly struck his co-worker on the head with the axe many times, while the latter was asleep in the workshop in March 2011, investigators said.

He then supposedly wrapped the body in an oil-cloth and kept it in the workshop for several days, before dismembering it and transferring it to his home village in Tula region.

The man then allegedly burned and buried the remains, which were discovered by investigators only March 13.

The suspect faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted.