Romanian Couple Accused of Elderly-Targeting Necklace Thefts Across Four States Held by ICE

A Romanian couple accused of swapping fake necklaces for real gold off the necks of elderly victims across four states is now in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, the Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday.

Rudi Lacatusu, 28, and Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, are accused of carrying out at least 14 jewelry thefts across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland, with stolen necklaces valued between $2,000 and $3,000 apiece, according to DHS, which cited local reporting.

One of the alleged thefts unfolded in Valley Stream, New York, on Oct. 5. Nassau County police said a 73-year-old woman was outside her home when a gold Mitsubishi pulled up carrying a man and a woman. The female passenger asked for directions to BJ’s Wholesale Club, and after the woman helped, the passenger got out, asked for a hug, and placed two gold-colored necklaces around the victim’s neck, detectives said. Shortly after, the woman discovered her own gold necklace, worth roughly $2,000, had been taken.

Investigators tied the suspects to similar incidents in Franklin Square and East Meadow. Each faces three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, according to police.

DHS said Nassau County authorities handed the pair over to ICE following their arrests. Both entered the United States illegally at a time and location DHS said is unknown.

DHS Points to Sanctuary Policies

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin framed the case as evidence of the risks posed by sanctuary jurisdictions.

“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,” Mullin said. “Thanks to local partners in New York, these illegal aliens are in ICE custody and will be removed from our country.”

Mullin went further, criticizing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directly.

“If it were up to sanctuary politicians like Governor Kathy Hochul, these criminals would be back on the streets to rob more Americans,” Mullin said.

DHS described New York as a “hotbed of illegal alien crime” under Hochul’s leadership and argued that sanctuary policies have caused consequences reaching beyond the state’s borders.

The announcement comes after Operation Rotten Apple, an ICE enforcement surge that ran from July 27 through Aug. 29. DHS said the operation resulted in 2,197 arrests of illegal immigrants across New York, including people the agency described as murderers, rapists, child predators, drug traffickers and violent assailants.

Court Date, Then Federal Custody

Nassau County police initially issued the suspects appearance tickets directing them to court in Hempstead on Oct. 20, according to the department’s arrest announcement. DHS’s Tuesday statement did not say exactly when ICE took the couple into custody.

The case prompted Nassau County police to warn residents, particularly elderly ones, about distraction scams in which strangers offer jewelry or gifts, ask to pray together, request change, or seek help with a flat tire. While a victim’s attention is diverted, police said, thieves can remove jewelry directly from the person.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert in parking lots and outside grocery stores and to call 911 to report suspicious activity. Anyone targeted in a similar scheme can contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.