Who is Florin Stoian? International fugitive returns to New York to face 2022 hit-and-run death of 74-year-old man

More than three years after a 74-year-old Queens man was killed in a hit-and-run, the suspect accused of fleeing across continents is back in New York to face justice.

Who is Florin Stoian?

Florin Stoian, 30, a Romanian national described by authorities as an international fugitive with dozens of aliases, has been extradited to the United States following a prison term in Germany. He now faces a slate of serious charges tied to the 2022 death of Be Tran in Ridgewood.


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What Happened in the 2022 Queens Hit-and-Run?

Prosecutors allege Stoian was behind the wheel of a rented black BMW X6 that struck Be Tran on Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood on Aug. 14, 2022. The elderly pedestrian was killed in the collision.

Authorities say Stoian fled the scene, later abandoning the vehicle and setting it on fire. The flames spread, damaging several nearby homes before he left the country, according to Queens prosecutors.

“Rather than face the consequences of his actions, he allegedly destroyed evidence by setting his vehicle on fire — further endangering nearby residents — and then fled the country,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.

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How Did Investigators Track Him Down?

The NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad launched a case dubbed “Many Aliases,” a reference to what police described as Stoian’s method of operating under numerous identities.

Investigators traced him to Michigan using rental car records, but he slipped away again, crossing into Canada and later traveling through Europe. Authorities say he committed additional crimes in Michigan, Canada, Ireland and The Netherlands before ultimately being imprisoned in Germany for pickpocketing, as per a report by The New York Post.


It was not until last year that U.S. law enforcement identified him as the same individual serving time in Germany, according to sources.

“Whether you run across the street or you run across the globe, as was in this case, the New York City Police Department’s not gonna stop,” NYPD Lt. Jag Singh said Wednesday.

“If you committed such a heinous crime, we’re gonna go to the ends of the earth and make sure you’re caught,” Smith said. “This person was very elusive, has been in the past, was in this case as well.”

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“The detectives never wavered and they never and they never gave up just because the investigation became cold," Smith added. “We’re gonna advocate for the victims.

“He never planned on paying for his actions,” the lieutenant said. “Didn’t think once about the victim or his family," as per a report by The New York Post.

What Charges Does He Now Face?

Stoian was taken to the 104th Precinct stationhouse and is expected to be arraigned on charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, criminal mischief, reckless driving and tampering with physical evidence.

In a statement, his attorney, Todd Spodek called the case “a deeply unfortunate situation.”

“Our thoughts are with anyone who may have been affected,” Spodek said. “Our client maintains his innocence and intends to address these allegations through the proper legal process," as per a report by The New York Post.

FAQs

Who is Florin Stoian?
He is a 30-year-old Romanian national extradited to New York to face charges in a 2022 Queens hit-and-run death.

How was he captured?
Authorities identified him while he was serving a prison sentence in Germany and arranged his extradition to the U.S.