Two men have been apprehended by the Anaheim Police Department for allegedly posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and engaging in a series of robberies targeting Latino residents. The arrests came after law enforcement responded to two consecutive incidents on Thursday evening, one on the 900 block of South Euclid Street and the other at the intersection of Brookhurst Street and La Palma Avenue. The suspects have been identified as Laurentiu Baceanu, 20, and Vasile Alexandru, 19, according to a news release issued by the Anaheim Police Department.
According to the victims’ statements to the police, the perpetrators, who spoke Spanish, presented counterfeit badges and coerced money from residents before fleeing in a blue SUV. Although neither suspect was armed, their actions constitute a serious offense, as impersonating a federal agent carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years. It is also possible that additional charges will be filed at the local level.
The Anaheim Police Department is collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies as part of the ongoing investigation. Sgt. Jon McClintock stated that similar incidents have been reported across California in recent weeks, and the authorities believe they are connected. McClintock urged other victims to come forward and share any relevant information. The department is also exploring the possibility of involvement by other suspects or accomplices.
Detectives are currently focusing on two vehicles believed to be associated with the series of robberies: a silver or gray Volkswagen Atlas SUV and a blue Audi Q7 SUV. The Anaheim Police Department is actively seeking the cooperation of the public in providing any additional leads or evidence related to these crimes. Detective John Carey, who is assigned to the case, can be reached at (714) 765-1973 or JCarey@anaheim.net.
It is worth noting that this incident is not an isolated occurrence in Anaheim. McClintock revealed that the department has been collaborating with other agencies across Orange County to investigate similar cases. He emphasized that undocumented victims need not fear reporting crimes, as the Anaheim Police Department does not cooperate with federal ICE officials and will not inquire about their citizenship status.
