Police: Troopers Find Group With Over $100K In Stolen Merchandise And Cash

The Delaware State Police have arrested five suspects in connection with multiple shopliftings.

Officials said on February 27, 2023, at approximately 3:31 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the Cosmetic Company outlet store located at 34986 Midway Outlet Drive in Rehoboth Beach in reference to a shoplifting.

It was reported four females and one male fled from the store with stolen merchandise and drove off in a light blue minivan with California registration. Troopers located a vehicle matching the description traveling northbound on Coastal Highway (Route 1) near Broadkill Bridge.

A traffic stop was initiated and contact was made with the operator identified as Vidu Miclescu (20 years-old), and four occupants identified as Mirela Velcu (41), Madalina Pirvu (29), Speranta Dumitru (34), Ancuta Ignat (37) all of Middle River, MD. Upon contact, the trooper observed stolen merchandise in plain view inside the vehicle police said.

All subjects were taken into custody without incident, and a subsequent search of the vehicle lead to the discovery of approximately 92,322.98 worth of stolen merchandise, which included fragrances, clothing, purses, and blankets, $9,866 of US currency, two large fixed blade knives and brass knuckles. At this time, there has been three stores identified with having merchandise stolen by the suspects. The stores included are the Cosmetic Company Outlet, Cracker Barrel, and the Coach Outlet.

The suspects were transported to Troop 7 where they were each charged with the following crimes:

Vidu Miclescu

Organized Retail Theft (Felony)
Theft of Property Value Over $50,000 (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
Multiple Traffic Violations
Miclescu was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $16,150 secured bond.

Speranta Dumitru
Mirela Velcu
Madalina Pirvu
Ancuta Ignat

The four female suspects

Organized Retail Theft (Felony)
Theft of Property Value Over $50,000 (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony)
They were each was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on a $16,000 secured bond.

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First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

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