On 4/2, the Orange County Sheriff's Department in California announced the arrest of three Romanian citizens linked to a widespread distraction theft ring. The group operated across Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties, ensnaring at least 12 victims. The arrests, made on 6/1, were based on suspicion of multiple criminal offenses, including grand theft, identity theft, and forgery. As of 4/2, two suspects were released on 40,000 USD bail, while the third remained in custody.
Sergeant Gerard McCann, a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, noted a rise in distraction thefts over the past three years. He cautioned that this crime occurs rapidly and can target anyone, extending beyond automated teller machine transactions. Criminals may also try to obtain personal identification numbers from victims queuing at grocery stores or retail checkout counters.
Authorities detailed an incident in November 2025 where a 66-year-old man became a target while using an automated teller machine on Santiago Boulevard in Villa Park. One thief feigned using an adjacent automated teller machine, covertly observing the victim enter his personal identification number. Meanwhile, an accomplice waited behind, poised for action.
As the victim completed his transaction, the thief behind him dropped cash at the victim's feet. Distracted while bending to retrieve the money, the victim's bank card was swiftly swapped for a fake one by the second perpetrator.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department reported that the thieves subsequently used the stolen personal identification number and automated teller machine card to make purchases and deplete the victim's account.
The 66-year-old victim had his automated teller machine card swapped by two coordinated thieves. Video: Orange County Sheriff
Bank surveillance footage aided investigators in identifying a grey sport utility vehicle linked to the incident. Weeks of investigation revealed a widespread pattern of distraction thefts across California, with investigators connecting the suspects to multiple thefts employing the same method across Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento counties.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department offers the following advice to residents:
* Remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings. * Always cover the keypad when using an automated teller machine. * Avoid interacting with strangers during financial transactions. * Be cautious of unfamiliar individuals approaching you in parking lots or at automated teller machines. * If someone approaches you, always maintain a safe distance.
By Tue Anh (based on OC Register, Orange County Sheriff reports)
