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Maryland Couple Charged in Organized Retail Theft Investigation
Leesburg, VA (January 31, 2024) – Roxana Dumitru, 29, and Ionut-Robert Ionescu, 30, both of Laurel, Maryland, have each been charged with one count of grand larceny and one count of larceny with the intent to sell. The charges stem from a shoplifting incident that occurred at the Leesburg Ulta in October 2023. All charges are felonies.
Officers with the Leesburg Police Department were dispatched to Ulta (1606 Village Market Boulevard, Suite 130) for a report of a shoplifting that had occurred on Friday, October 27, 2023. The business’ representative advised that at shortly before 3:00 p.m., a male and a female entered the business and stole merchandise valued at more than $6,400. Through an investigation, Roxana Dumitru and Ionut-Robert Ionescu were identified as the suspects and were each subsequently charged for their involvement.
It is estimated that the couple is responsible for the organized retail theft of more than $158,000 from multiple retail stores located in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.
“In the fight against organized retail theft, it is essential to recognize that this is not a victimless crime,” advised Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat. “Every stolen item represents more than just a loss for businesses; it impacts the livelihoods of hardworking individuals and jeopardizes the economic health of our community.”
We would like to thank Ulta Loss Prevention, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Prince George’s County Police Department (MD), and the Buena Park Police Department (CA) for their assistance in identifying and locating Dumitru and Ionescu.
Roxana Dumitru was arrested on Friday, January 26, 2024, in Prince George’s County, Maryland where she remains held at the Prince George’s County Detention Center. Ionut-Robert Ionescu was arrested on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Orange County, California where he remains held at the Orange County Jail. Both await extradition back to Virginia.
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Media Contacts:
Michele Bowman, MPIO – 571-541-7757
Officer Michael Drogin – 703-771-4538
LPD-PIO@leesburgva.gov