Two California teenagers have been arrested for allegedly impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and robbing members of the Latino community in the country’s western region.
The Anaheim Police Department said Laurentiu Baceanu and Vasile Alexandru, both 19, were arrested Thursday in connection with a series of robberies. , and claimed to be an ICE agent.
On June 20, police investigated two robberies that reportedly occurred between 5 and 6 p.m. When they arrived, they learned the robberies were related. .
In both incidents, police said, Barceanu and Alexandru approached the victims, claimed to be ICE agents, demanded cash, and then fled in a blue SUV.
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The Anaheim Police Department arrested 19-year-old Laurentiu Baceanu and Vasile Alexandru last week. (iStock)
An investigation by members of the Anaheim Police Department’s Immediate Crime Center, Robbery Major Assault Detail and other units found both cases were related to similar recent robberies.
Nearly five hours after the two robberies on Thursday, police located a blue Audi Q7 SUV in Fullerton and arrested Baceanu and Alexandru without incident.
The two men were taken to the Anaheim police custody facility and booked on multiple charges of robbery and other crimes.
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Two 19-year-old men were arrested in California on suspicion of impersonating ICE agents to rob Hispanics. (Associated Press)
Both Alexandru and Barceanu are being held without bail.
Police said they believe the pair committed similar robberies in Anaheim, Orange County and other parts of the Western United States
While the two men allegedly targeted Hispanics, detectives said they believe there may be more victims.
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Anaheim police arrested two teenagers on suspicion of impersonating ICE agents to commit robberies. (Mark Bost/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
During the robbery, both Basceanu and Alexandru spoke Spanish and displayed badges while impersonating law enforcement officers.
Detectives also believe the two men used different vehicles, including a silver or gray Volkswagen Atlas SUV.
ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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Police encourage anyone with information about the robbery to call Detective John Carey at 714-765-1973; for details on major assault robberies, call 714-765-1947; or contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or occrimestoppers.org .
