3 Romanians Arrested Near Oceanside, Including Suspected Organized Crime Member

OCEANSIDE, CA — Three Romanian nationals were arrested near Oceanside, including a suspected member of a Balkan organized crime group, U.S. Border Patrol officials announced.

Agents stopped a vehicle Oct. 9 on Interstate 5 near Oceanside and arrested all three occupants, who authorities said had entered the United States illegally from Canada.

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A records check identified one of the suspects as a member of a Balkan organized crime group, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The suspect also had an outstanding warrant in Virginia related to the alleged fraudulent use of credit cards.

Investigators also linked the group to the reported August theft of a Rolex watch from a YMCA locker room in Los Angeles County, officials said.

The three suspects, whose names were not released, were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.