Burbank police have arrested two people accused of targeting elderly pedestrians in a distraction theft scheme.
At a Glance
- Larixon Oinescu, 30, and Maria Grigore, 28, arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse
- Victims reported jewelry stolen through distraction techniques on Jan. 11 and 13
- Suspects face additional charges including forgery, fraud and embezzlement
- Why it matters: Elderly residents targeted in growing distraction theft trend
The Burbank Police Department responded to two separate incidents where an 81-year-old man and other elderly victims had jewelry stolen through deceptive tactics.
First Incident on East Verdugo Avenue
Officers were called to the 100 block of East Verdugo Avenue on January 11 after an 81-year-old man reported that a man and woman “used deceptive tactics to steal his gold necklace.”
The victim told police the suspects approached him and used distraction methods to remove his jewelry without his immediate knowledge.
Second Incident on West Clark Avenue
Two days later, on January 13, police responded to the 2300 block of West Clark Avenue for a similar report.
Witnesses described a man and woman approaching elderly people in the area and stealing their jewelry by using distraction techniques.
Suspects Identified and Arrested
Officers located the two individuals matching the descriptions provided by witnesses and victims.
The suspects were positively identified as:
- Larixon Oinescu, 30 years old
- Maria Grigore, 28 years old
Both were arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse.
Additional Charges
Besides the elder abuse charges, the suspects face multiple other charges including:
- Forgery
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
Investigation Details
According to News Of Los Angeles‘s investigation by Amanda S. Bennett, Burbank police did not specify the exact methods the suspects used to distract their victims.
The department confirmed the suspects targeted elderly pedestrians specifically, focusing on stealing jewelry through deception rather than force.
Legal Status
It remains unclear if either suspect has retained an attorney who can speak on their behalf.
The investigation into the distraction theft scheme continues as police work to determine if there are additional victims.
Key Takeaways
- Two suspects arrested for targeting elderly victims in jewelry theft scheme
- Incidents occurred within days of each other in Burbank
- Police used witness and victim identification to locate suspects
- Additional charges filed beyond initial elder abuse suspicion
