Romania targets ‘academy of criminals’ network

BUCHAREST: Romanian authorities arrested 26 people on Thursday over links to the so-called academy of criminals, a network suspected of robbing jewellery stores across Europe, anti-mafia prosecutors said.
The network, which has now been dismantled, was organised like a military unit, with strict rules and tough training sessions for its 100 or so members.
“Each robbery lasted 60 seconds at most, with each participant playing a clearly pre-defined role,” prosecution official Georgiana Hosu said.
The academy is suspected of robbing jewellery stores in Britain, France, Germany and Belgium, making off with a booty valued at a total of 10 million euros, she said.