Bank card skimmers, Kalashnikov rifle found in arrest of five Romanians

By Zack Newmark on October 23, 2015 - 18:00
Steyr M-A1 10x28 Rotterdam bust
A handgun found during the arrests of two Romanian men in Rotterdam on October 20, 2015. (photo: Politie). A handgun found during the arrests of two Romanian men in Rotterdam on October 20, 2015. (photo: Politie)

Police in Rotterdam arrested five men after a search of a residence on Tuesday turned up a Kalashnikov rifle and a heavy-caliber handgun. Investigators were acting on a tip when they raided the home, and were surprised to find a significant number of bank card skimming devices, along with gloves and tie-rips, the police said in a statement.

Two Romanian men, aged 34 and 41, were in the home at the time. They were both taken into custody, and were scheduled for a court hearing on Friday.

Following the initial arrest, police stopped a car and arrested three other Romanian men in connection with the investigation. They are still being questioned, police said Friday morning.

“A large quantity of mobile phones” were also found in the house. Police did not say if they were believed to have been stolen.

Photos of the handgun appeared to indicate it was a Steyr Pistol M-A1 10x28. The manufacturer, Steyr Mannlicher, advertises the gun as a "new" offering on its Romanian-language website.

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