Three Georgian and Bulgarian nationals have been arrested in Budapest after police linked them to nine daytime burglaries across six districts, with nearly HUF 17 million in suspected losses.

Police tracked suspicious Ukrainian-registered car

The three men — two Georgian nationals aged 28 and 30 and a 30-year-old Bulgarian citizen — were arrested in Budapest’s District V on 25 September by officers from the Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK), with assistance from the Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK).

According to police, the men are suspected of committing burglaries on a commercial basis. They were questioned and taken into custody, while prosecutors requested their pre-trial detention. BRFK’s head of the Investigation Department, Lieutenant Colonel Sándor Gál, said the suspects had entered Hungary from Slovakia and carried out nine residential burglaries between 15 and 25 September.

The break-ins took place in six Budapest districts: I, II, III and XI on the Buda side, and XIII and XIV on the Pest side.

Police said the cases were linked by several similarities. All the burglaries took place during the daytime, and the suspects allegedly opened the entrance doors without causing visible damage. The stolen property included cash, jewellery, expensive watches and electronic devices. Police estimate the total damage at almost HUF 17 million.

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CCTV footage led police to the suspects

Investigators suspected that the burglars were using a car to move around Budapest and transport the stolen goods. After reviewing CCTV footage from the areas around the burglaries, they noticed a dark blue Toyota RAV4 with Ukrainian registration plates, carrying three men.

On 25 September, police launched a targeted patrol operation in central Budapest to locate the vehicle. They eventually found the Toyota and, with the assistance of TEK officers, arrested the three suspects.

During searches of the men and the vehicle, investigators found specialised tools allegedly used for breaking into properties and opening locks, as well as substances suspected to be drugs. Some of the stolen items and cash were also recovered.

Police said the men had been staying in Hungary since 28 August.

Police suspect ‘travelling criminals’

According to Gál, investigators suspect the men may be so-called “travelling criminals” who enter a country, commit several offences and then move on. Police believe two of the three men actively participated in the burglaries, while the third acted as the driver.

The suspects refused to make statements or cooperate with investigators during questioning. A court has since ordered their detention for 30 days. Gál said police will also contact authorities in the suspects’ home countries and neighbouring states to establish whether they may have been involved in offences elsewhere.

He added that residential burglaries are not currently unusually common in Budapest, with statistics showing broadly stable numbers in recent years.

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