A 73-year-old Long Island woman was standing outside her Valley Stream home when two strangers in a gold Mitsubishi stopped to ask for directions. After a brief encounter involving a hug and two gold-colored necklaces, the woman discovered that the gold necklace she had been wearing, valued at about $2,000, was missing.
Nassau County police identified Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, and Rudi Lacatusu, 28, both of Scarborough, Ontario, as suspects in the Oct. 5 theft. Detectives also connected the pair to similar incidents in Franklin Square and East Meadow, leading to three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny against each defendant.
The arrests followed an investigation extending beyond Long Island. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said detectives linked the couple to additional suspected jewelry thefts across New York, New Jersey and Maryland, where investigators also conducted surveillance.
The two were issued appearance tickets for Oct. 20 in Hempstead. News 12 and CBS New York subsequently reported that Nassau police transferred them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The criminal allegations remain pending and have not resulted in findings of guilt.
A Request for Directions Ended With a $2,000 Necklace Missing
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The most recent Nassau County incident occurred at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Oct. 5. According to the Nassau County Police Department, the 73-year-old victim was outside her Valley Stream residence when a gold Mitsubishi carrying a man and woman pulled up.
The female passenger asked for directions to BJ’s Wholesale Club. After the resident helped, the passenger stepped out of the vehicle and asked for a hug. She then placed two gold-colored necklaces around the woman’s neck before returning to the Mitsubishi.
A short time after the vehicle departed, the resident realized that her original gold necklace was missing. Police estimated its value at approximately $2,000.
Detectives from the Nassau County Major Case Squad investigated the encounter and identified the Lacatusus. According to News 12, the pair were arrested Tuesday night, Oct. 6, in Hicksville.
Detectives Connected the Pair to Thefts Across Three States
The Valley Stream encounter was one of three Nassau County incidents directly associated with the charges. Investigators also linked the defendants to a necklace theft in Franklin Square on Aug. 25 and another in East Meadow on Aug. 26.
All three Nassau victims were older than 70, and the missing necklaces were valued between approximately $2,000 and $2,500 each, according to Ryder’s account of the investigation.
The investigation went beyond those three communities. Ryder said police connected the pair to at least 14 suspected necklace thefts across New York, New Jersey and Maryland, and detectives traveled to Maryland to conduct surveillance before bringing their findings back to Long Island.
Ryder described how quickly the jewelry could allegedly be removed. During a brief embrace, the person making physical contact could unclasp a necklace and leave before the victim realized anything had changed.
Similar distraction thefts have also been reported in neighboring Long Island communities. News 12 described encounters in Floral Park and Lynbrook in which residents were approached for directions or offered jewelry before discovering valuables missing. Those reports illustrate the wider pattern of complaints, rather than establishing that the Lacatusus were responsible for every similar incident.
Both Defendants Face Three Grand Larceny Charges
Nassau County police charged Mirabela and Rudi Lacatusu with three counts each of fourth-degree grand larceny, corresponding to the three identified Nassau County incidents.
Under New York Penal Law §155.30, fourth-degree grand larceny includes stealing property worth more than $1,000. The statute also covers property taken directly from another person, regardless of its value. The offense is classified as a Class E felony.
The defendants were given appearance tickets returnable to First District Court in Hempstead on Oct. 20, 2026. The police announcement identified those charges, while Ryder’s broader description of the investigation concerned additional suspected incidents in other states.
CBS New York reported that Nassau police subsequently transferred the pair to ICE custody. Ryder said immigration authorities were handling a separate matter concerning their presence in the United States. The transfer was distinct from the pending theft accusations in Nassau County.
Both defendants are presumed innocent of the criminal charges unless proven guilty in court.
How Thieves Use Hugs and Jewelry to Steal Necklaces
The alleged method relies on getting close enough to handle another person’s jewelry without attracting attention. A stranger may approach with a friendly question, offer a gift or initiate physical contact, creating an opportunity to remove a necklace or other valuable.
The Howard County Police Department has warned about similar incidents involving older residents approached in parking lots. Its guidance describes suspects offering compliments, asking for directions or placing unwanted jewelry on someone before using quick movements to take valuables.
Police recommend maintaining distance from unexpected approaches, declining physical contact and walking away if a stranger tries to place jewelry on the body. Someone who continues moving closer after being asked to stop should not be allowed to touch clothing, jewelry or personal belongings.
People who discover jewelry missing after an encounter should contact police promptly. A vehicle description, license plate, nearby surveillance footage or items left behind by the suspect may assist investigators. Any potentially relevant items should be preserved with minimal handling.
Nassau County detectives are asking additional victims to report similar encounters. Anyone with information can contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.