The village of Sinesti in Ialomita county, 30 kilometers from capital Bucharest along the E85 European road, witnessed over 37 attacks and robberies against drivers who happen to stop on the side of the road.

The Police intensified patrolling in the area after many drivers revealed either how they were attacked by groups of people, or how they merely escaped such an incident.

Criminals would work in groups, some of them hidden in the forest by the side of the road, to make sure they pricked the car’s tires in order to steal from drivers. In some cases, they even beat the drivers, according to reports cited by local Digi24.

Drivers quoted in Romanian media say that, when called, the local Police said they knew about this modus operandi in the area. However, only one person was caught and sent to trial for such deeds in the area in the last two years.

An internal investigation is ongoing, as well as checks in other parts of the country where similar reports emerged, according to the head of the Romanian Police.

editor@romania-insider.com