On June 30, license plate readers alerted the Irvine police to a van previously used in a theft at an Ulta Beauty store in Los Angeles.
Irvine police officers located the van exiting the Alton Square shopping center and began following it. Eventually, the women stopped in a neighborhood, exited the van, and fled on foot.
Body camera footage, blurred by police, showed officers tracking the women as they hid in various locations throughout the neighborhood. All three were taken into custody.
Inside the van, police found over $12,500 in stolen merchandise from multiple retail stores in Irvine, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa.
The women were booked into Orange County Jail on multiple charges, including organized retail theft, grand theft, and burglary.
The suspects were identified as:
- Sara Alexandru, 18, resident of Garden Grove
- Simara Ghiocel, 19, resident of Westminster
- Sara Mihalaiche, 19, resident of Garden Grove
These surnames are most commonly associated with Romania or individuals of Romanian descent. They are often referred to as Roma although in the past they were called Gypsies.
- Alexandru is a common Romanian given name and surname.
- Ghiocel means “snowdrop” in Romanian and is also used as a surname.
- Mihalaiche is less common but follows Romanian naming patterns and phonetics.
So, it is likely that the suspects are of Romanian origin or heritage.
Here’s a summary of the potential penalties the suspects face in Orange County, California:
Three women arrested for stealing over $12,000 in merchandise from stores in Irvine, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa could face the following charges and penalties:
- Organized Retail Theft:
- Felony offense if the value of stolen goods exceeds $950.
- Penalty: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison.
- Additional prison time may be added if the total value of stolen goods is especially high.
- Grand Theft:
- Applies when stolen property is worth more than $950.
- Penalty:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail or prison
- Burglary:
- Entering a vehicle or building with intent to steal.
- Penalty:
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail
Other consequences may include:
- Being banned from entering certain retail stores
- Denial of citation release (meaning they may not be released with just a promise to appear in court)
- Probation of up to 2 years