A couple from Soroca district was arrested by the police on suspicion that they stole license plates, especially foreign ones, and asked even up to 1,000 lei from the victims for returning them, IPN reports.
According to the General Police Inspectorate, there were identified at least 160 cases when the suspects stole license plates from vehicles in the municipalities of Chișinău and Bălți and in the districts of Drochia, Soroca, Râșcani, Sângerei, Telenești, Orhei, Hâncești, Taraclia, and Cimișlia.
When being questioned by the police, the suspects admitted their guilt. They are investigated for theft and blackmail and face five to seven years in jail and a fine of 42,000 to 67,500 lei.
The police managed to recover a part of the license plates and these will be returned to the owners. Those who suffered as a result of similar actions are asked to call 112 or to go and report to the nearest police station.
