Last week, a victim had their $2,000 gold necklace taken during a jewelry switch scam in the Culverdale neighborhood, according to the Irvine Police.
In these cases, suspects engage victims in a conversation and then offer them a piece of jewelry as a thank you for their help or to “honor” them. While the suspects place fake jewelry on the victim, they remove their valuable jewelry.
Our Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) located a possible suspect vehicle and license plate just after the crime occurred. Detectives from the IPD’s new Crime Impact Unit (CIU) and their Investigations Bureau located the car in LA County and spent days conducting surveillance and follow-up to build a strong case.
On Saturday, the pair returned to Irvine and were stopped and arrested. Detectives found numerous pieces of costume jewelry inside their car.
Dinu Adelina, 29, and Miclescu Cosmin, 34, of Romania, were arrested and booked at Orange County Jail for conspiracy and grand theft. Their bail was set at $500,000.
The new CIU detectives will address crime trends and significant criminal activity in the city. The dynamic and highly skilled team will provide proactive and strategic responses to crime, emphasizing teamwork, collaboration, and keeping criminals out of our city.
The IPD is the suspect’s faces because they believe that there are possibly other victims of their scheme. Please get in touch with mmahmood@cityofirvine.org if you have any information about this duo or to report similar cases.
Please be cautious if a stranger approaches you and keep your distance from them. Also, be mindful of the types of jewelry you wear in public, as expensive pieces can attract thieves’ attention. If you become a victim of one of these scams, please report it to the police immediately.
Editor’s Note – These are likely not actual Romanians but instead members of the Romani/Roma community that live throughout Europe, particularly in Romania. They were referred to in the past as “gypsies” but that is now considered to be a slur. Their ancestors originated in India.
In California, switching fake jewelry for real jewelry is considered a form of theft and fraud:
Grand Theft (Penal Code 487): If the value of the stolen jewelry exceeds $950, the crime is classified as grand theft. This can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, with penalties including up to 3 years in county jail.
Petty Theft (Penal Code 484): If the value of the stolen jewelry is less than $950, it is considered petty theft, which is a misdemeanor. Penalties can include up to 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Fraud and Deceit: Engaging in deceptive practices to switch jewelry can also lead to additional charges related to fraud, which can carry further penalties.
Conspiracy (Penal Code 182): If the act involves planning with others, conspiracy charges may apply, which can result in additional jail time and fines.
These penalties can vary based on the specifics of the case and the individual’s criminal history.
Regele schlump, te rog trimite acești nenorociți înapoi în România sau în țara adiacentă!