‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal immigrant couple accused of brazen jewelry theft spree across four states
By
Stepheny Price, Fox News
Published Oct. 14, 2026, 3:40 a.m. ET
asserted
couple → accuse → states
An illegal immigrant couple dubbed “Bonnie and Clyde” by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly turned strangers’ kindness into a payday, stealing necklaces from elderly victims in a jewelry theft spree stretching across four states.
Rudi Lacatusu, 28, and Mirabela Lacatusu, 26, Romanian nationals accused of targeting victims on Long Island, are now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, DHS announced Tuesday.
uncertain
DHS → dub → custody
The pair allegedly carried out at least 14 jewelry thefts across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland, according to DHS, which cited local reporting.
uncertain
which → carry → reporting
The stolen necklaces were valued between $2,000 and $3,000 each.
asserted
necklaces → steal → 2,000
One alleged encounter began with a seemingly innocent request for directions.
asserted
encounter → allege → directions
A 73-year-old woman was standing outside her Valley Stream, New York, home Oct. 5, when a gold Mitsubishi with a man and woman inside pulled up, Nassau County police said.
asserted
police → stand → man
The female passenger asked how to get to BJ’s Wholesale Club.
asserted
passenger → ask → Club
After the woman helped, the passenger stepped out, asked to hug her and placed two gold-colored necklaces around her neck, according to detectives.
uncertain
passenger → help → detectives
A short time later, the woman realized her own gold necklace, worth approximately $2,000, was gone.
asserted
necklace → realize → ?
Investigators linked the suspects to similar thefts in Franklin Square and East Meadow.
asserted
Investigators → link → Square
Each faces three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, police said.
asserted
police → face → larceny
DHS said Nassau County authorities turned the couple over to ICE after their arrests.
asserted
authorities → say → arrests
Both entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown time and location, according to DHS.
uncertain
Both → enter → DHS
“This ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ illegal alien couple from Romania has been charged with grand larceny after allegedly carrying out more than a dozen jewelry thefts across four states,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said.
uncertain
Mullin → charge → states
“Thanks to local partners in New York, these illegal aliens are in ICE custody and will be removed from our country.”
asserted
aliens → remove → country
Mullin also took aim at Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, arguing that sanctuary policies put Americans at risk.
asserted
policies → take → risk
“If it were up to sanctuary politicians like Governor Kathy Hochul, these criminals would be back on the streets to rob more Americans,” he said.
asserted
he → rob → Americans
DHS used the arrests to renew its criticism of New York’s sanctuary policies, calling the state a “hotbed of illegal alien crime” under Hochul.
asserted
DHS → use → Hochul
DHS also argued those policies have had “disastrous consequences” beyond New York’s borders.
asserted
policies → argue → borders
DHS said officers arrested 2,197 illegal immigrants across New York during the operation, including people the department described as murderers, rapists, child predators, drug traffickers and violent assailants.
asserted
department → say → murderers
Nassau County police initially issued the suspects appearance tickets directing them to court in Hempstead Oct. 20, according to the department’s arrest announcement.
uncertain
police → issue → announcement
DHS’ statement Tuesday did not specify when ICE took custody of them.
asserted
ICE → specify → them
The case prompted police to warn residents about distraction scams targeting elderly people, including strangers offering jewelry or gifts, asking to pray together, requesting change or seeking help with a flat tire.
asserted
case → prompt → tire
While a victim’s attention is elsewhere, the thieves can remove jewelry directly from their body, police warned.
asserted
police → remove → body
Authorities urged residents to stay alert in parking lots and outside grocery stores and call 911 to report suspicious activity.
asserted
Authorities → urge → activity
Anyone who has been targeted in a similar theft can contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
asserted
who → target → TIPS
The Aporia
