Hug Trap in Long Island: Necklace Thieves Caught

In the Long Island region of New York, Nassau County police arrested two Romanian citizens who allegedly asked strangers for directions and then stole the valuable necklaces around their necks. Mirabela Lacatusu (26) and Rudi Lacatusu (28) were taken into custody as part of the investigation.

Linked to at Least 14 Thefts

Police said the couple was linked to at least 14 necklace thefts in New York, New Jersey and Maryland using a similar method. Officials say that more victims may emerge as the investigation proceeds. It was reported that the stolen necklaces were mostly worth between $2,000 and $3,000.

Elderly Especially Targeted

It was announced that the incidents in Nassau County occurred in the Franklin Square, East Meadow, Lynbrook and Valley Stream areas. Police said that a significant portion of the victims were over 70 years old and that the suspects were particularly targeting vulnerable individuals.

Stole a 73-Year-Old Woman's Necklace

While a 73‑year‑old woman was standing in front of her house in Valley Stream, a gold‑colored Mitsubishi pulled up beside her. The woman in the car asked how to get to BJ’s Wholesale Club. After the elderly woman gave directions, the suspect got out of the vehicle and tried to hug her.

A $2,000 Necklace Was Stolen Without Being Noticed

According to police, the suspect slipped two gold necklaces onto the woman's neck during the hug. At that moment, the victim's real gold necklace, worth about $2,000, was removed from her neck. The woman noticed the theft after the vehicle had pulled away.

Same Tactic Used in Different Areas

Detectives said that similar thefts also occurred in Franklin Square and East Meadow, in addition to the Valley Stream incident. In another case, suspects asked the victim for the direction to the market, and after physical contact the necklace disappeared.

Police Pursued the Couple

Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder announced that suspects were tracked up to Maryland as part of the investigation and that surveillance work was also carried out there. The information gathered by the detectives was later linked to cases in Long Island.

Two Suspects Charged with Grand Theft

Mirabela Lacatusu and Rudi Lacatusu face three charges each under fourth-degree grand theft. Police stated that the pair live in Ontario, Canada, and are illegally present in the United States, and handed them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Police Warned Citizens

Officials specifically warned elderly citizens not to allow unknown persons to make physical contact. Police said that people who approach under the pretense of asking for directions, which may seem innocent, could be signaling a theft attempt if they ask for a hug or other physical contact.

There May Be Other Victims

Nassau County detectives urged anyone who believes they were robbed by a similar method to come forward to the police. Officials say they are informing the public to identify potential new victims and to prevent others from using the same tactics.