The two young Romanians – 19 and 23 – who were caught stealing catalytic converters from a business park in Hem last month, have both been sentenced to three months in prison by the court in Alkmaar.
The two young Romanians were caught red-handed on the night of May 11, after a witness heard a sawing noise around 12:30 a.m. and alerted the police. When the police went to investigate, the two fled. The jack and saw still under the car. Officers also found four catalytic converters, batteries and tools – to cut away the catalytic converter – in a bag.
The suspects, AC (23) and NS (19), were not present during the hearing. The reason for the theft was lack of money. “It’s an easy way to make money,” C. told the police. Both suspects have relatives in Romania that they have to support. “We are desperate, want to go back home. It is the first time we do something like this,” said S.
Because the catalysts are in high demand because of the precious metals – rhodium, palladium and platinum – they contain. “They will have ‘gold’ in their hands in no time. They don’t need a minute, that’s all,” said Frans Halsema from Hoorn. earlier to NH News. His car was taken care of in October last.
Done before
Yet the judge did not agree with the story that it was the first time for the Romanians. According to her, they ‘have acted very professionally’. “They stayed overnight at a nearby hotel, did a reconnaissance tour, shared locations and contacted a salesperson.”
Like justice, the judge saw sufficient evidence for the men’s involvement in the raid in Him, who are friends with each other. “This has major consequences for the victim, both financially and emotionally.”
The victim is entitled to compensation of 5,000 euros, the court in Alkmaar ruled on Friday afternoon. It’s lower than he’d demanded. The lawyer has not yet made a decision on a possible appeal.