Robbers Steal Gold in Holdup on Romanian Highway

Police say robbers disguised as police officers stopped a car on a Romanian highway and forced the occupants to hand over almost 23 kilograms (51 pounds) of gold at gunpoint.

Police spokesman Danut Dinu said three masked men forced a car to stop on a highway near the city of Pitesti on Tuesday. He says one robber threatened the driver and the passenger with a pistol, and they handed over 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds) of gold jewelry and spoons stashed in the car’s trunk.

Dinu said the car was transporting the goods for a private company.

Daily Evenimentul Zilei reported the gold was worth (euro) 1 million (US$1.42 million), without providing a source for the estimate. Dozens of police officers and a helicopter were tracking vehicles in the area.