San Jose police have arrested two men in connection with a Romanian organized crime spree targeting members of the Asian and Indian communities. The suspects were found with $13,000, three cars, and evidence of various scams, including jewelry swaps and credit card skimmers. Contact Detective Grodin for more information. KTVU FOX 2 reported
Two Men Arrested in Connection to Romanian Organized Crime Spree Targeting Asian and Indian Communities in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose police announced on Friday that they have apprehended two individuals believed to be involved in a series of criminal activities linked to a Romanian organized crime ring. The suspects specifically targeted members of the Asian and Indian communities in their spree.
The two men have been identified as Mogos Constantin, 35, and Renaldo Vaduva, 19. Their arrests come after an extensive investigation that culminated in search warrants being executed in San Jose and Livermore. These warrants were believed to be connected to approximately 25 criminal cases that occurred between July and October. The crimes committed during this period included armed carjacking, armed robbery, strong-arm robbery, and grand theft.
During the execution of the search warrants, law enforcement officers discovered $13,000 in cash, three vehicles, and various pieces of evidence that may be associated with the criminal activities of the suspects. These activities encompassed jewelry swap scams, Facebook Marketplace vehicle scams, credit card skimming, and money laundering.
The San Jose Police Department provided details regarding the typical modus operandi employed by the suspects. They would approach elderly individuals who were either inside a vehicle or on the sidewalk. Typically, the suspects consisted of a male driver and one or more female passengers. They would engage the elderly person by asking for directions or pretending it was their birthday. As a token of gratitude, the suspects would place fake costume jewelry on the elderly person, often replacing the real jewelry with the counterfeit items and forcibly taking the genuine pieces. The suspects frequently utilized new SUV rental vehicles during their operations.
If anyone has information related to these crimes, they are urged to contact Detective Grodin #4591 of the San José Police Department’s Robbery Unit at (408) 277-4166 or via email at 4591@sanjoseca.gov.
In conclusion, the San Jose Police Department’s successful arrests of Mogos Constantin and Renaldo Vaduva mark a significant milestone in dismantling a Romanian organized crime ring that has been preying on the Asian and Indian communities in the area. By executing search warrants and recovering substantial evidence, the authorities have not only disrupted the criminals’ operations but also potentially safeguarded future victims from falling prey to their scams. The public is encouraged to come forward with any information that may aid in further investigations and bring justice to those affected.
.