Romanian nationals arrested after 13-year-old caught driving getaway car

HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. (KCTV) – A pair of Romanian nationals have been arrested and charged after allegedly involving their children in the theft of hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from Walmart.

Lafayette County, Missouri, Circuit Court documents filed on Tuesday, October 29 revealed that Narghita Durac, 46, and Carmen Zaharia, 19, both Romanian citizens and residents of Kansas City, were charged in connection with a theft allegedly involving their children.

The Higginsville Police Department says law enforcement officers were called to the Walmart at 1180 W. 19th St. on Monday for reports of a shoplifting incident in progress. The caller reported that Durac and Zaharia had loaded a shopping cart as they pushed it out the door of the supermarket and climbed into a maroon minivan.

When law enforcement officers arrived, they said they saw the minivan and tried to stop the driver. A brief high-speed chase ensued before the driver stopped in a Break Time car park. When officers contacted the driver, they discovered Durac’s 13-year-old child was behind the wheel.

Investigators noted that three other children of Durac and Zaharia, ages 1, 2 and 9, were also in the vehicle, and none were properly restrained. Meanwhile, the $665 worth of stolen merchandise lay in plain view on the floor of the van.

As the investigation continued, law enforcement officials said they discovered that both Durac and Zaharia had multiple arrest warrants issued in the St. Louis area.

Durac and Zaharia have been charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of children, resisting arrest and theft.

As of Thursday, October 31, Durac and Zaharia will remain behind bars in Lafayette County. Both will be heard on Wednesday, November 6 at 2 p.m. No further information has been released.