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[CRIME] · United States · 2 sources

Part of situation: Romanian organized crime investigation in US and Romania (2 clusters)

Romanian couple accused of multi-state jewelry theft spree

jewelry theft spree grand larceny illegal immigration elderly victims multistate crime

Romanian nationals Rudi Lacatusu, 28, and Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, are in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody following an alleged jewelry theft spree across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that the couple, who entered the U.S. illegally, allegedly carried out at least 14 thefts targeting elderly victims. In one instance in Valley Stream, New York, a female passenger reportedly asked a 73-year-old woman for directions before hugging her and stealing a gold necklace valued at approximately $2,000.

Each suspect faces three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny. The stolen necklaces were reportedly valued between $2,000 and $3,000 each.

Entities

Department of Homeland Security · Mirabela Lacatusu · Nassau County Police Department · Rudi Lacatusu · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Sources

‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple accused of brazen jewelry theft spree across four states [offthepress.com]
‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple accused of brazen jewelry theft spree across four states [nypost.com]