LOS ANGELES (KNX) –Police arrested a man and woman in connection to a string of “blessing scams” in the Los Angeles area.
On Tuesday, Claudiu Stoian, 27, and Madalina Paun, 24 were arrested after detectives saw them take jewelry from someone on a sidewalk in the area of 12th Street and Burlington and drive away, according to a press release by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“After the suspects took the victim’s jewelry and drove away, officers stopped the suspect’s rental vehicle and recovered jewelry, money, and other evidence used to commit the crimes,” police said.
Two young children were in the car with Stoian and Paun and the time of their arrest.
Police said they are still searching for the victim in the robbery, who was described as being in her 30’s with chin-length blonde hair.
Stoian and Paun have also been connected to robberies and thefts that took place in the Westlake, Pico Union and Historic Filipinotown Districts of Los Angeles. Rampart detectives said they’re investigating over two dozen cases of theft and robberies that date back to February 2021.
The suspects drove an SUV and called over victims – who were often elderly or who have special needs and speak Spanish – from the sidewalk to the car. The woman would ask to “bless” the victim’s jewelry or money.
“The female then removes the victim’s property, while simultaneously placing cosmetic jewelry and/or taped up pieces of lottery tickets into the victim’s clothing,” police said.
The male suspect also “brandished a gun” during at least one of the incidents, while in two incidents, the female suspect blew an unknown substance in the victim’s face, causing them to be disoriented.
Detectives believes there are outstanding suspects, as well as unidentified victims in these scams.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Rampart Robbery Detective A. Trimino at (213) 484-3631 or Detective III E. Ignacio at (213) 484-3627.
Anonymous tips can be placed by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).
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