Romanian Woman Awaiting Trial In Palm Desert Wanted By FBI

PALM DESERT, CA — A Romanian national flagged by the FBI as part of an organized crime group is awaiting trial Wednesday following her arrest in Palm Desert in connection with a reported grand theft.

Palm Desert Sheriff's Station deputies were flagged down by a man claiming his necklace was stolen in the 34000 block of Monterey Ave. at 12:46 p.m. Monday, according to a statement from Sgt. Daniel Milbrandt.

The man said a woman had asked him for directions to the freeway. After doing so, "a supposed token of her appreciation for his help, she placed a necklace around his neck and, without him initially noticing, replaced his necklace with costume jewelry," Milbrandt said.

The suspect got into a vehicle and escaped.

Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station deputies located the vehicle an hour later near the intersection of Alessandro Boulevard and Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley, locating and arresting 36-year-old Romanian national Marcideza Dumitru on suspicion of grand theft, according to Milbrandt.

Dumitru was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, with a tentative court date set for July 18 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to Riverside County inmate records.

The driver was "initially detained but later released pending further investigation," Milbrandt said.

It was later discovered that the FBI had flagged Dumitru as part of a transnational organized crime group.

Anyone with information on the incident was encouraged to call Investigator Pfohlman at 760-836-1600.