Three Romanians, arrested in the USA for stealing from the elderly using the “Blessing” method
The American authorities have arrested three Romanians suspected of being involved in a network of thieves targeting elderly people in the Seattle area. One of the thieves tried to rob including a monk, under the pretext of a “blessings”.
The Romanians were arrested by the US authorities PHOTO Unsplash
The members of the criminal group, of Romanian origin, are accused of several robberies committed in western Washington state, the victims being elderly people, approached by deceptive methods and by intimidation, according to Fox 13 Seattle.
The suspects, identified as Simona Păun (41 years old), Ion Miclescu (21 years old) and Maria Alexandra (25 years old), were charged with several acts of theft in the first degree, following an investigation that lasted several months.
In one case, an 81-year-old woman said she was robbed in the parking lot of the New Village Golden Market in White Center on March 30. The victim said a woman walked up to her, threw a piece of cloth over her head and ripped off a gold chain worth about $2,200.
The second incident occurred at the Asian Family Market in Bellevue on April 7. A monk stated that a woman approached his car and tried to offer him a “blessing”insisting on inserting a $50 bill into a red wallet. Later, the woman allegedly stole an envelope from the victim's bag, which contained between 800 and 900 dollars.
How the thieves were caught
Using surveillance video, police were able to identify the suspects' vehicles and establish their signatures.
Păun and Miclescu allegedly used cars rented from a dealer in Woodinville, which they used in various robberies in the region. According to court documents, Miclescu's cell phone records placed him both at the car dealership and later at the scene of the White Center robbery.
After monitoring his Kirkland home, Bellevue police arrested Miclescu and Păun on Federal Way on April 8 while allegedly stalking people at a senior living center. The two were later released on bail, but were again detained at their home for other offences.
After searching the home, investigators said they found significant evidence linking the suspects to crimes throughout the region, including clothing worn during the robberies.
“Individuals were living together. They were operating in an organized fashion, committing crimes as a team, contacting people in parks and other locations in the region, looking for what they considered vulnerable people to exploit.”said Bellevue Police Capt. Ryan Parrott.
Peacock is currently being held on $400,000 bond. She also had a fugitive warrant on a nine-count indictment in San Diego.
Alexandra was arrested on a fugitive warrant for first-degree larceny issued in Oregon. She was released on $10,000 bond.
Miclescu was out on bond after the Federal Way arrest, but was arrested again Friday for second-degree robbery in Lynnwood. Bail was set at $250,000, but he posted it and was released Sunday evening
