PRESS RELEASE (ARREST)
DATE OF ARREST: June 29th, 2022
LOCATION OF ARREST: Northampton Road, City of Amsterdam
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ARRESTEE(S):
Ricard Miclescu Age: 22
Essex,MD
Ardeleanca Vaduva Age: 26
Essex, MD
NAME AND CLASSIFICATION OF CHARGES (F/M/V):
- CRIMINAL SOLICITATION 4TH DEGREE (A-MISDEMEANOR)
ARRAIGNMENT/BAIL STATUS:
INCIDENT NARRATIVE: On Wednesday June 29th Amsterdam Police were notified of suspicious persons who had approached a city resident at their home purporting to be out of gas and needing help. The suspects then offered to exchange golden jewelry in their possession for a sum of money from the resident. The resident quickly determined that the suspect parties were involved in some kind of scam and alerted Amsterdam Police. The suspect vehicle was located on Northampton Road where the operator in an attempt to flee the area was observed by police to commit a vehicle and traffic law infraction. A subsequent traffic stop resulted in the arrest of the two adult suspects who were accompanied by their infant child. A further investigation was conducted resulting in the aforesaid charges being filed against both adults in Amsterdam City Court along with the seizure of a cache of fake golden jewelry used to carry out this scam.
The suspects charged in this incident are believed to be a part of a larger ring of organized individuals carrying out the scheme in Montgomery, Fulton, and Schoharie counties.
The investigation is ongoing and further charges are possible. Anyone who may have been approached by these individuals is encouraged to contact their local police department.
The United States Department of Homeland Security assisted in this investigation.
