The Irvine Police Department has issued a warning about a pair of Romanian nationals suspected of executing a “jewelry switch scam” in Irvine’s Culverdale neighborhood. According to KTLA, the suspects, identified as Dinu Adelina, 29, and Miclescu Cosmin, 34, allegedly engaged unsuspecting victims in conversation, offered a piece of fake jewelry as a kind gesture, and simultaneously removed the victim’s valuable jewelry.
Last week, one individual was targeted and lost a gold necklace valued at $2,000. Providing details obtained from the Irvine Police Department’s social media, the Irvine Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) and Crime Impact Unit (CIU) tracked down a suspect vehicle shortly after the crime occurred, eventually leading to the identification and apprehension of Adelina and Cosmin. The suspects were found in Los Angeles County, where after spending several days under surveillance by detectives, they were arrested on their return to Irvine on Feb. 8.
During the apprehension, investigators recovered numerous pieces of costume jewelry from the suspects’ vehicle. Both Adelina and Cosmin were subsequently booked into the Orange County Jail and are being held on charges of grand theft and criminal conspiracy, with bail set at $500,000. The police are encouraging the public to be vigilant with their belongings and have asked anyone with information on this case or similar incidents to reach out to [email protected]…