6 Romanians break into Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Rogers, Arkansas – CONAN Daily

A Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Rogers, Benton County, Arkansas, United States was recently robbed by six Romanian nationalists. The suspects were Marta Chicui, 36, from California, United States, Floarea Miclescu, 39, from California, Voinea Gratiani Miclescu, 40, from California, Francisca Velcu, 43, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, Narcisa Velcu, 43, from Oklahoma City and Claudia Velcu, 50, from Oklahoma City.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office MPs believe there were other suspects but they left the area. Voinea is the only man among the six suspects.

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Four of the suspects first visited the temple on April 18, 2021, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. They reportedly asked for prayers for a family member that day, but were told that due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ceremonies were only held in Vietnamese.

One of the women asked to use the toilet while the others tried to distract a female victim but were unable to do so. The suspects became very agitated when asked to leave.

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On April 20, 2021, the six suspects broke into the temple while the same victim was alone, according to Northwest Arkansas News. The victim went into hiding before leaving the temple unharmed.

The six suspects fled in a van driven by Voinea. Officers at the scene saw the pickup truck driving in the opposite direction and followed the vehicle, which stopped near Exit Posy Mountain at Rogers.

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All of the suspects got out of the van and were arrested. Some of them have been linked to other Buddhist temple break-ins in California, Oklahoma and Arizona, United States.

Voinea has been charged with Robbery, Home Burglary, Providing, Possessing or Using Prohibited Items, Flight, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Mischief, Third Degree Assault, Criminal Trespass, No Driver’s License, and Misdemeanor Offense. side of the road. The five suspects were all charged with aiding and abetting theft, aiding home burglary, criminal trespassing and third degree assault.

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All six suspects posted bail and were released. They should appear before the Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green on June 7, 2021, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Thieves target Buddhist temples due to the passive nature of occupiers and the practice of accepting donations, Benton County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Shannon Jenkins said the publication. While some of the thieves are prayed inside the temple, their accomplices steal money, jewelry, and donation boxes from other rooms.

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Incorporated on June 6, 1881, Rogers was named in honor of the Captain Brent Rogers Elliott. Since 2010, Greg Hines was mayor of the city.

Rogers is located in the Ozarks, a physiographic region of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri, United States. Walmart was founded in the city on July 2, 1962.

Buddhist organization Arkansas International Buddhist Temple was founded in 2009. It is based in Fort Smith, Arkansas.