Orange County Sheriff’s deputies have apprehended two individuals from Riverside who are accused of orchestrating a scheme to distract an elderly woman, while one of them stole an envelope containing $50,000 from her purse at her residence in Huntington Beach. This incident occurred last week, as confirmed by officials.
Ionut Marius Andrei, 42, and Stefan Romero Oprea, 38, reportedly approached the 79-year-old woman right after she arrived home from a bank where she had withdrawn the cash on Tuesday, September 19. The Sheriff’s Department released a statement on Friday, September 29, detailing the events.
As one of the men engaged the woman in conversation at her front door, pretending to seek directions to a nearby hospital, his accomplice successfully reached through her car window and stole the envelope from her purse. The department’s news release affirmed this account.
Both suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday, September 26, and are currently being held without bail at the Orange County jail. They have been charged with burglary, taking property, and grand theft, each facing one count, as well as two counts of theft from an elderly adult.
Court records indicate that both Andrei and Oprea have pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against them.
Officials describe this particular type of crime as “bank jugging,” wherein criminals carefully observe bank customers to determine if they have withdrawn cash, subsequently following them home and employing distraction or intimidation techniques in an effort to steal the money.
The recent burglary charge against Andrei and Oprea is associated with an earlier incident in Lake Forest. Authorities have successfully linked the two men to this occurrence as well.
According to investigators, on Wednesday, August 16, the suspects approached a 72-year-old man outside his garage in Lake Forest. One of them asked him for directions to a hospital, using this opportunity to distract him. Meanwhile, the other individual swiftly seized $5,000 in cash from the center console of the victim’s car.
Andrei and Oprea are scheduled to appear in court again on Monday, October 9.
Investigators are urging anyone who may have fallen victim to a similar crime to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-1829. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be shared through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
Law enforcement officials advise individuals to avoid carrying large sums of cash whenever possible and explore alternative methods for transferring funds. If an individual suspects they are being followed after leaving a bank, it is recommended that they immediately contact 911.
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