Deputy mayor of Vama commune faces criminal case after transporting 75 mm shell on scooter
The deputy mayor of Vama, Satu Mare County, was filmed transporting an artillery projectile on a moped. Police opened a criminal investigation for breach of regulations governing explosive materials.
Artillery shell transported on scooter: criminal case for deputy mayor of Vama commune
Google News RO — Crime reports that police in Satu Mare County opened a criminal investigation after the deputy mayor of Vama commune transported an artillery projectile on a moped on Monday, 31 August.
The projectile was discovered by workers engaged in pavement rehabilitation work in the commune. The shell was found mixed in among mineral materials on the construction site, and the workers initially believed it was simply a piece of iron.
The site foreman notified police, but also contacted the deputy mayor of the locality. The deputy mayor went to the scene, picked up the projectile and set off on his scooter towards the police station to hand over the object. The deputy mayor was filmed in traffic whilst transporting the ammunition.
According to PresaSM, police officers were taken aback when the local official arrived and asked him to take the projectile to an isolated area, in a field. Subsequent checks established that it was a 75 mm calibre shell, equipped with an active charge, which required handling exclusively by authorised personnel.
The ammunition was safely secured and is to be transported to the specialised depot in Carei for neutralisation.
"The investigation is continuing in respect of the offence of breach of regulations governing explosive materials," representatives of Satu Mare County Police Inspectorate stated.
Following the incident, the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations "Someș" Satu Mare reiterated warnings about the danger posed by unexploded ammunition, including when it appears old, rusty or damaged.
ISU recommends that any suspicious object — projectile, shell, grenade — should not be touched, struck, moved, cleaned or transported. Persons who discover such objects should move away, keep children and animals at a distance, and immediately call 112, indicating as precisely as possible the location of the discovery.
"Even if the ammunition appears old, rusty or damaged, it can still be active and presents a real danger to life," ISU Satu Mare warns.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)