Oslo police arrest 18 Romanians
to beat back foreign crime wave
Oslo police raided three houses in the capital's Carl Berner district Thursday morning and arrested 18 Romanians in what they called a "targeted action against foreign criminals." The 18 suspects, mostly men, were charged with various forms of vinningskriminalitet -- crimes against property such as robbery and burglary.

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Police also seized what they believe are stolen goods found in the houses, before placing the Romanian citizens in custody.

Geir Ellefsen, investigations leader at the Majorstuen Police Station, told NRK that the raid had been planned "over time" and had a "high priority." Several police units took part in the raid around 8:30am.

It was part of efforts by the police and the Justice Ministry to crack down on a crime wave, mostly from Eastern Europe, that's been crashing over Norway for months. It has involved aggressive, organized begging, a huge jump in home burglaries, pick-pocketing and shoplifting.

Thursday's major police raid brought traffic to a standstill in the busy Carl Berner area at the height of the commuter rush.

One woman told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) that her bus was halted for a half-hour and passengers could watch both uniformed and civilian police entering the homes.

(Story written February 4, 2010)
Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund

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