DATE/TIME: September 26, 2024, 2024 / 9:33 AM
INCIDENT: P.C. 487 - Grand Theft from a Person
LOCATION 1:Calle San Marcos Park, 2659 Norte Vista Drive, Chino Hills
LOCATION 2: 3200 block of Skyview Ridge, Chino Hills
SUSPECT 1: Dorian Stescu, a 31-year-old resident of Redmond, Washington
SUSPECT 2: Laura Ghiocel, a 34-year-old resident of Fife, Washington
VICTIM(S): Confidential
SUMMARY: On Thursday, September 26, 2024, at around 9:33 A.M., deputies responded to a service call at Calle San Marcos Park, in Chino Hills, regarding suspicious activity. A male and female contacted the reporting party in public. They wanted to shake the reporting party's hand and appeared overly friendly. The reporting party believed the suspects intended to steal jewelry from his person. A Chino Hills deputy found the described suspects and contacted them during a traffic stop. The suspects were identified as Dorian Stanescu and Laura Ghiocel; both were residents of Washington.
Deputies received another service call from a victim during the traffic stop. Stanescu and Ghiocel contacted the victim earlier in the morning in the 3200 block of Skyview Ridge, and stole the victim's necklace from his neck. Stanescu and Ghiocel were arrested for grand theft from a person. They were booked at the West Valley Detention Center.
Chino Hills deputies are urging community members to remain vigilant when strangers approach them in public spaces. Recently, incidents have increased where individuals, often posing as friendly or helpful, distract victims to steal valuable items, particularly jewelry. Thieves often use distraction techniques such as asking for directions or assistance to divert your attention from your belongings.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Chino Hills Police Department at (909) 364-2000. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or leave information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Deputy Kaelan Johnson or Sergeant Bryan Sprague
Station: Chino Hills Station
Phone No. (909) 364-2000
Case No. 222402907
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
