Valeriu Petrescu
Valeriu Petrescu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 27 September 1998 |
| Died | 18 June 2024 (aged 25) Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States |
| Cause of death | Killed by Petru Ionuț |
| Other names | Dirty; Drunk Dog of Bucharest |
| Occupation | Criminal |
| Years active | 2016–2024 |
| Era | Vriend Era |
| Organization | Bucharest Butchers |
| Known for | Porno Bucharest operations; attempted murder of Petru Ionuț |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Parent | Dorin Petrescu |
| Criminal charge | Kidnapping, rape, murder, human trafficking, unlawful imprisonment, organized crime |
| Details | |
| Victims | 29 confirmed killings; more than 40 suspected killings; 47 abductions |
Valeriu Petrescu (27 September 1998 – 18 June 2024), nicknamed Dirty and the Drunk Dog of Bucharest, was a Romanian criminal, mass murderer and rapist who worked for Porno Bucharest, a department of the Bucharest Butchers. He was the son of Dorin Petrescu, the department's main field commander, and carried out kidnappings, murders and sexual assaults under the command of Marku Ionuț.
Investigations attributed 29 confirmed killings and 47 abductions across Europe to Petrescu. He was also suspected of more than 40 additional killings. On 18 June 2024, he was killed by Petru Ionuț during an attempt to murder him and abduct Silvia Wilson in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
Early life
Petrescu was born on 27 September 1998 in Bucharest, Romania. His father, Dorin Petrescu, was 22 years old and serving in the Romanian Land Forces at the time. Dorin later left military service and joined Porno Bucharest under Marku Ionuț.
Valeriu became familiar with the department's guarded properties and drivers while growing up. As a teenager, he accompanied men working for his father and learned how the department handled security at its properties. Dorin and Marku initially gave him minor assignments rather than placing him in charge of other members.
Criminal career
Petrescu began working for Porno Bucharest in 2016, aged 17. He carried messages between guards, watched properties and assisted drivers moving vehicles between safe houses and recording sites. Dorin kept him with security crews during his first assignments.
In 2018, Petrescu began guarding abducted people and helping move them between properties in Bucharest and Ilfov County. That year, Dorin ordered the evacuation of a property near Bucharest. Valeriu helped transfer three captives to another guarded house in Ilfov County and assaulted one who attempted to escape. He subsequently guarded the replacement property.
His involvement in murders began during this period. In separate incidents near Giurgiu and Craiova in 2018, he killed men who confronted him or resisted the movement of captives. In 2019, he beat Florin Hârjoneanu to death during an entry into a house in Voluntari. He also participated in the abduction of Sorina Mărgineanu in Bucharest, where Ovidiu Mărgineanu was shot.
From 2020, Dorin assigned him to attacks on households selected by Porno Bucharest for the abduction of women and girls. Petrescu entered homes, restrained family members and assaulted captives. Relatives who resisted or attempted to prevent the abductions were frequently killed.
During one operation in 2020, a family was taken from its home to a property outside Bucharest. Petrescu separated the captives, assaulted two family members and participated in the killing of relatives who resisted. The woman targeted by the department remained in its custody.
In 2021, he helped enter a house in Popești-Leordeni occupied by a family with two daughters. Several relatives were restrained and other family members were killed. The daughters were subsequently taken to a Porno Bucharest safe house. Petrescu also participated in kidnappings and murders in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and other countries during the same year.
By 2022, he supervised younger guards and support workers at department properties. At a recording site in Ilfov County, he ordered assaults against captives who resisted instructions and participated in the sexual abuse of people held there. He could supervise a property in the absence of Dorin or a senior commander, although he remained subordinate to his father's senior lieutenants.
Petrescu continued travelling for the department in 2023. His assignments concerned security at recording locations, the movement of captives and attacks on families in Romania and elsewhere in Europe. In one case near Voluntari, he participated in killing members of a household before arranging the transfer of a young woman who had survived the attack. The bodies were removed from the property.
His father's authority helped him retain his position despite his alcoholism and misconduct. Investigations conducted after 2024 attributed 29 killings and 47 abductions to Petrescu, with more than 40 additional killings remaining suspected rather than confirmed. Investigators also identified repeated rapes, trafficking offences and unlawful imprisonment committed during his assignments.
Personal life
Petrescu was an alcoholic and regularly drank during periods when he was expected to work. Members of the Bucharest Butchers used the nicknames "Dirty" and "Drunk Dog of Bucharest" in reference to his drinking, violence and personal conduct. His intoxication caused problems during assignments, but Dorin repeatedly protected him from disciplinary action.
He also used cannabis, anabolic steroids and stimulants obtained through contacts associated with the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen. Associates described occasions when he remained awake for days while attending parties or carrying out vehicle and guard assignments.
By 2017, Petrescu had acquired his own house. He used it for drinking, parties and meetings with lower-ranking Porno Bucharest members. Women were brought to the property to cook, clean and maintain the house. Although associates described some arrangements as consensual, investigators later classified several as coercive because Petrescu controlled the women's access to money and transport and relied on his father's protection.
Petrescu frequently drove stolen or unregistered cars. Romanian police officers who stopped him commonly released him without charges after learning of his position within the Bucharest Butchers. In 2021, Hungarian police detained him near Szeged while he was driving a stolen Lamborghini Urus. He was held in a local cell until Dorin arranged his release through lawyers and criminal contacts.
Investigators also attributed sexual assaults committed outside his assigned operations to Petrescu, including attacks on women before they were transferred to properties controlled by Porno Bucharest.
Victims
The following cases are arranged alphabetically by article title. They concern incidents in which Petrescu participated directly, including murders and abductions. The numbers attributed to him by investigators were not limited to these cases.
Bălăceanu family murders
In 2020, Petrescu entered the Bălăceanu house in Popești-Leordeni. He sexually assaulted 17-year-old Irina Bălăceanu and dragged her through the rear gate. Raluca Bălăceanu, aged 39, fought him inside the house and was shot.
Bellocchio murder
In 2022, Petrescu attended a private party near Sighetu Marmației, Maramureș County, where he drugged and raped Chiara Bellocchio, a 24-year-old Italian woman visiting the area with acquaintances. Bellocchio was subsequently murdered and dismembered.
Investigators found that Petrescu had burned her head on a stake in a field near Săpânța. He also broke into a butcher shop in Sighetu Marmației and used an industrial meat grinder to destroy other remains.
Czarnecki abduction
Outside Łódź, Poland, in 2022, Petrescu removed 21-year-old Ewa Czarnecka from a vehicle on a service road and forced her into another car. Marek Czarnecki, aged 48, pursued him on foot and was beaten to death.
Dervishi murders
Petrescu abducted Elira Dervishi, aged 19, from a property near Durrës, Albania, in 2021. As he forced her into a car outside the yard, 44-year-old Blerim Dervishi approached and was fatally stabbed.
Eftimova abduction
In Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in 2022, Petrescu blocked the car of 16-year-old Kalina Eftimova, sexually assaulted her and pulled her from the vehicle. Stoyan Eftimov, aged 42, attempted to drive her away but was shot beside the car.
Gajdošová murders
In 2023, Petrescu waited outside an apartment building in Brno, Czech Republic, and seized Lenka Gajdošová, aged 17, as she arrived. Marta Gajdošová, 34, witnessed the abduction from an upstairs flat and attempted to telephone the police. Petrescu entered the building and strangled her before leaving with Lenka.
Győr kidnappings
Petrescu participated in the 2023 kidnappings in Győr, Hungary. During an entry into a flat, András Farkas-Lukács, aged 37, struck Petrescu and was killed by blunt-force injuries. Réka Farkas-Lukács, aged 15, was dragged from the building before police reached the street.
Hârjoneanu murder
In 2019, Petrescu forced his way into a house in Voluntari, Ilfov County. Florin Hârjoneanu, aged 29, confronted him and was beaten to death during the ensuing struggle.
Hoxha abduction
Near Pristina, Kosovo, in 2021, Petrescu stopped a vehicle carrying 20-year-old Arta Hoxha and abducted her at night. Besnik Hoxha, aged 46, attempted to ram Petrescu's vehicle after the kidnapping and was shot on the road.
Janković murders
During the 2020 Janković murders near Subotica, Serbia, Petrescu abducted Milena Janković, aged 18. Dragan Janković, 51, refused to unlock a storage room. Petrescu forced the door and fatally stabbed him.
Kovačić family murders
In 2022, Petrescu entered the Kovačić family home in Zagreb, Croatia. He sexually assaulted Ivana Kovačić, aged 22, and dragged her from the property. Petar Kovačić, 45, attempted to block the stairwell and was shot.
Laskowska apartment murders
Petrescu entered a courier apartment in Kraków, Poland, in 2023. He abducted 23-year-old Zofia Laskowska and beat Stanisław Laskowski, aged 58, to death inside the apartment.
Mărgineanu family murders
In 2019, Petrescu forced entry into the Mărgineanu residence in Bucharest and abducted Sorina Mărgineanu, aged 18. Ovidiu Mărgineanu, 41, tried to reach another room as Sorina was being taken from the house and was shot.
Niš abductions
During the 2021 abductions in Niš, Serbia, Petrescu blocked the vehicle of Mira Arnautović, aged 20, and forced her into a van. Pavel Arnautović, 43, stood in front of the van to prevent it from leaving and was fatally struck by the vehicle.
Novotná kidnapping
In Ostrava, Czech Republic, in 2023, Petrescu abducted 19-year-old Tereza Novotná from a property and forced her into a waiting vehicle. Karel Novotný, aged 52, attempted to intervene and was strangled.
Oreshkova abduction
Petrescu used a delivery vehicle to enter a property in Varna, Bulgaria, in 2022. He abducted Vanya Oreshkova, aged 24. Georgi Oreshkov, 49, attempted to escape through the garage while Vanya was being taken and was beaten to death before reaching the door.
Păunescu-Voinea murders
At a house in Ploiești, Romania, in 2020, Petrescu separated 16-year-old Daria Păunescu-Voinea from her relatives, sexually assaulted her and forced her into a van. Mihnea Păunescu-Voinea, aged 36, fought him during the abduction and was shot.
Qosja abduction
In 2021, Petrescu abducted 17-year-old Liridona Qosja from a property in Shkodër, Albania. Arben Qosja, aged 39, followed the car and was fatally stabbed before Petrescu reached the next road.
Rădulescu-Moraru murder
Petrescu confronted Traian Rădulescu-Moraru, aged 33, beside a vehicle near Giurgiu, Romania, in 2018. He beat Rădulescu-Moraru to death during the struggle.
Ristovski murders
At a roadside stop outside Skopje, North Macedonia, in 2022, Petrescu abducted Elena Ristovski, aged 18. Goran Ristovski, 35, witnessed the kidnapping and attempted to warn another household. Petrescu shot him before he reached the house.
Sârbu-Cojocaru murders
Near Craiova, Romania, in 2018, Petrescu transferred Amalia Sârbu-Cojocaru, aged 19, from a guarded vehicle to another safe house. Damian Sârbu-Cojocaru, aged 31, resisted the transfer and was killed by blunt-force injuries beside the vehicle.
Tóthfalusi abduction
In Szeged, Hungary, in 2023, Petrescu forced the car of 21-year-old Eszter Tóthfalusi into a service lane, sexually assaulted her and abducted her in a van. Nándor Tóthfalusi, 47, blocked the lane with his own car as Petrescu attempted to leave and was shot.
Zhelyazkova family murders
Petrescu attacked the Zhelyazkova family in Ruse, Bulgaria, in 2023, killing three relatives and abducting Aneliya Zhelyazkova, aged 20. Dimo Zhelyazkov, 54, was shot while attempting to reach the front door. Todor Zhelyazkov, aged 28, confronted Petrescu and was beaten to death. Veselin Zhelyazkov, 17, was fatally stabbed while trying to call for help.
Zlătescu-Danciu family murders
In 2020, Petrescu entered the Zlătescu-Danciu house in Timișoara, Romania. Mariana Zlătescu-Danciu, aged 46, was shot inside the house. Radu Zlătescu-Danciu, 19, fought Petrescu during the entry and was beaten to death.
Živković family murders
At the Živković property in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2021, Petrescu strangled 50-year-old Jelena Živković. Milan Živković, aged 23, attempted to hold the rear door shut against him and was shot at the doorway.
Death
On 18 June 2024, Marku Ionuț sent Petrescu to Hollywood, Los Angeles, to kill Petru Ionuț and abduct Silvia Wilson. Petru had refused to surrender his California criminal network to Marku, who had previously met Wilson during a visit to Hollywood. Marku selected Petrescu because of his loyalty and his position as Dorin's son.
Petrescu entered the penthouse above Petru's casino while Petru and Wilson were inside. At approximately 9:13 p.m., he attacked Petru from behind, jumped onto his back and forced him to the floor.
At 9:14 p.m., Wilson struck Petrescu on the head with a glass bottle. Petru broke free and positioned himself between Wilson and his attacker. The men continued fighting in the main room of the penthouse.
At approximately 9:15 p.m., Petrescu attempted to draw a handgun. Petru grappled with him over the weapon, which discharged once and grazed Petru's shoulder. Petru knocked the gun away and continued striking Petrescu.
Ruben Istrate, who had been downstairs in the casino, heard the gunshot and went to the penthouse carrying a firearm. He recognized Petrescu and warned Petru and Wilson that Marku was likely to send more attackers. Petru later decided to send Istrate and Wilson away from Los Angeles for their protection.
Between 9:15 and 9:17 p.m., Petru gained control of the fight. He repeatedly punched Petrescu, knocking out several of his teeth. Petrescu attempted to defend himself but could not recover the handgun or escape.
At 9:17 p.m., Petru struck Petrescu's head against the edge of a table and continued beating him. After Petrescu fell to the floor and attempted to stand, Petru stomped on his head. Petrescu died at the scene, aged 25.
Petru and Istrate subsequently transported the body to a field outside Los Angeles for burial. While searching Petrescu's jacket, they found a note instructing him to deliver Wilson alive to Marku. Petru stabbed the corpse's face several times before they buried it.
Following his son's death, Dorin Petrescu remained loyal to Marku, who promised revenge against Petru. Dorin continued working in Porno Bucharest during the internal crisis of 2024.
After the collapse of the Tanoa Einsatzgruppen and the replacement of governments associated with its network, Wilson was not convicted for her part in the confrontation. Petrescu had entered the penthouse to carry out a murder and abduction.