Romanian teen detained for arson, attempted thefts; damages exceed 170,000 euros

A 15-year-old boy is in custody in Constanța, Romania, facing serious charges including intentionally setting fire to two buildings in Medgidia and multiple attempted thefts from homes and cars. The estimated damages from the fires alone exceed 174,000 euros, according to the Constanța County Police Inspectorate.

The minor is being investigated for destruction and attempted qualified theft. Investigators from the Medgidia Criminal Investigations Bureau, under the coordination of prosecutors from the Medgidia Court, are examining his alleged activities. Evidence suggests the teenager may have entered several homes and vehicles in Medgidia between January and February 2026 with the intent to steal.

While current investigations have only confirmed attempted thefts, police are continuing their inquiries to ascertain the full scope of his criminal actions. In addition to the theft attempts, the minor is accused of deliberately starting two fires that caused significant property damage.

Authorities reported that the suspect evaded law enforcement after committing the offenses. He was identified on July 16 with the assistance of police in Mangalia and brought in for questioning. Following the collection of evidence, he was detained for 24 hours and placed in the pre-trial detention center. He is scheduled to appear before the case prosecutor, who will decide on further preventive measures.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine if the teenager is involved in other similar incidents. The report also briefly mentions other recent cases involving minors in Romania, including a 16-year-old arrested for stealing and driving two cars without a license and a 17-year-old detained for stabbing a man.