Federal authorities have dubbed a Romanian couple “Bonnie and Clyde,” alleging the pair exploited strangers’ kindness to steal valuable necklaces from elderly victims in a jewelry theft operation spanning four states.
Rudi Lacatusu, 28, and Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, are accused of targeting victims on Long Island. The Romanian nationals are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday.
According to DHS, citing local reports, the couple allegedly committed at least 14 jewelry thefts in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.
Each stolen necklace was estimated to be worth between $2,000 and $3,000.
In one reported incident, the alleged theft began with what appeared to be a harmless request for directions.
Nassau County police said a 73-year-old woman was outside her home in Valley Stream, New York, on Oct. 5 when a gold Mitsubishi carrying a man and a woman stopped nearby. The female passenger asked for directions to BJ’s Wholesale Club.
After the woman offered assistance, the passenger reportedly got out of the vehicle, asked to hug her and placed two gold-colored necklaces around her neck, detectives said.
The victim later discovered that her own gold necklace, valued at about $2,000, had disappeared.
Investigators connected the couple to similar incidents in Franklin Square and East Meadow. Police said each suspect faces three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.
DHS said Nassau County authorities transferred the couple to ICE custody following their arrests. The agency also said both had entered the United States illegally at an unknown time and location.
“This ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal alien couple from Romania has been charged with grand larceny after allegedly carrying out more than a dozen jewelry thefts across four states,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
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“Thanks to local partners in New York, these illegal aliens are in ICE custody and will be removed from our country.”
Mullin also criticized New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, claiming sanctuary policies place Americans at risk.
“If it were up to sanctuary politicians like Governor Kathy Hochul, these criminals would be back on the streets to rob more Americans,” he said.
DHS used the arrests to renew its attack on New York’s sanctuary policies, describing the state under Hochul as a “hotbed of illegal alien crime.” The department said those policies have produced “disastrous consequences” beyond New York’s borders.
The announcement came after Operation Rotten Apple, an ICE enforcement effort conducted from July 27 through Aug. 29.
DHS said the operation resulted in the arrests of 2,197 illegal immigrants across New York, including individuals the agency characterized as murderers, rapists, child predators, drug traffickers and violent assailants.
Nassau County police initially issued the suspects appearance tickets ordering them to appear in Hempstead court on Oct. 20, according to the department’s arrest announcement. DHS did not say Tuesday when ICE assumed custody of the couple.
Police are warning residents about distraction scams aimed at older people. Potential thieves may offer jewelry or gifts, ask to pray together, request change or claim they need help with a flat tire.
Authorities said criminals can use the diversion to remove jewelry directly from a victim’s body while the person’s attention is elsewhere.
Authorities urged residents to stay alert in parking lots and outside grocery stores and call 911 to report suspicious activity.
Anyone who has been targeted in a similar theft can contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
