International Operation Uncovers Stolen Car Parts Worth €8 Million in Bulgaria

Bulgarian authorities, in collaboration with​ the German prosecutor’s office⁣ and Europol, have seized approximately​ €8 million ‍worth of stolen‌ car parts​ in a warehouse ⁣in Voluyak.

The operation, ⁤which⁤ was coordinated by Europol, involved the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office ‌and the General Directorate of the National Police. The stolen goods‌ were initially discovered in the Bavarian town of Wallersdorf​ on June 22 this year.

The Heist: A Large-Scale Summer Break-In

According to⁣ Europol and German authorities, the⁢ stolen car parts were taken from a logistics company’s warehouse in Wallersdorf. The heist was carefully planned, with the criminals ​using forklift trucks to load the⁢ stolen⁢ goods into several trucks​ and ⁤escaping ⁣undetected between​ 10:20 pm on June 22 and 6 am the following day.

The stolen ‍parts, worth millions⁣ of⁢ euros, are of high quality and include original Mini Cooper floor mats. ‌A​ private​ reward of ⁤€20,000 was offered ‌for⁣ information leading to the discovery of the stolen goods.

Arrests and Investigation

In late August, two suspects,​ aged 39‌ and 43, were arrested after⁢ breaking‍ into a bakery in the⁣ city. They are suspected of similar⁣ thefts in the area and are believed to be Romanian citizens. The German investigation established that the stolen car parts ⁣were hidden in Bulgaria.

Following the operation in Bulgaria, evidence was found ‌of the involvement‌ of “internal criminal structures of a gang, which ‌points⁢ to the ⁢existence of a network.” A​ third ⁣suspect,⁤ aged ⁢26,‍ was also identified, along with other individuals.