End of the search: Asen Simeonov has been detained

Following a large-scale specialized operation conducted between July 17 and 23, Asen Simeonov, wanted for the kidnapping of 11-year-old Natalia, has been located and detained in the Shumen area. The operation involved over 50 Ministry of Interior officers, including forces from Shumen, Varna, Border Police, and the Gendarmerie.

The girl was found hidden in bushes about 50 meters from the place of the arrest. Natalia is in good condition and has been examined by an emergency medical team.

Chronology of crimes

  • July 17: Simeonov robbed a shepherd in Kaspichan, taking his phone and backpack.
  • July 18: A robbery of a grocery store (a trailer) in the village of Madara was recorded, from which 20 euros and food were stolen.
  • Following days: The detainee robbed a 41-year-old woman of her bag near the village of Vasil Drumevo.

The detention operation

The successful end of the search came after a tip from an alert citizen who noticed two people by the road between the villages of Dibich and Iliya Blaskovo on the evening of July 22. The police used drones and service dogs to block the perimeter. Simeonov was detained by a team including the head of the Criminal Police sector at the First Regional Police Department in Varna, Veselin Rusev, and Yordan Kayryakov from the Territorial Police in Shumen.

Before the investigators, the perpetrator admitted that they had been moving on foot, hiding during the day and continuing their journey at night. Work on the case continues under the supervision of the prosecutor's office.