Couple Stole Over $150K From Stores In MD, VA, NC: Police

LAUREL, MD — A couple from Prince George's County is accused by Virginia authorities of carrying out more than $150,000 in thefts from retail stores in three states.

Roxana Dumitru, 29, and Ionut-Robert Ionescu, 30, both of Laurel, Maryland, have each been charged with one count of grand larceny and one count of larceny with the intent to sell. The charges stem from a shoplifting incident that occurred at the Leesburg Ulta store in October 2023. Both charges are felonies.

Officers with the Leesburg (Virginia) Police Department were called to an Ulta store at 1606 Village Market Boulevard, Suite 130, for a report of a shoplifting on Oct. 27. A store representative told police that shortly before 3 p.m., a man and woman entered the business and stole merchandise valued at more than $6,400.

Dumitru and Ionescu were subsequently identified as the suspects and were each charged in the thefts.

Leesburg Police said it is estimated the couple is responsible for the organized theft of more than $158,000 from multiple retail stores in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina.

“In the fight against organized retail theft, it is essential to recognize that this is not a victimless crime,” Leesburg Police Chief Thea Pirnat said in a news release. “Every stolen item represents more than just a loss for businesses; it impacts the livelihoods of hardworking individuals and jeopardizes the economic health of our community.”

Roxana Dumitru was arrested on Jan. 26 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, where she remains in custody at the Prince George’s County Detention Center, Leesburg authorities said.

Ionut-Robert Ionescu was arrested on Jan. 27 in Orange County, California, by the Buena Park Police Department. He is being held at the Orange County Jail. Both await extradition to Virginia.