A Romanian sentenced to nearly 8 years in prison for thefts was caught in Italy, after months of searching, due to a tattoo.

A 26-year-old Romanian man, sentenced to 7 years and 10 months in prison in Romania for thefts from homes and cars, was caught in Italy, in San Giorgio della Richinvelda, after nearly two years on the run. He was wanted at the European level, and Romanian authorities issued two arrest warrants in his name. M.B. was located by the carabinieri in Pordenone, who had been tracking him for a month, having had recent contacts in the Friuli Venezia Giulia area.

After being recognized due to a tattoo on his neck, the young man tried to present a false document, but was identified through fingerprints. He will be extradited to Romania to serve his sentence and will also be tried in Italy for forgery and use of forgery, with possible additional penalties. Italian authorities are investigating whether he committed other crimes during the time he was hiding.