ELDERLY WOMEN TARGETED IN SICKENING CAR PARK SCAMS: Two Men Charged with 72 Offences After Allegedly Stealing from Vulnerable Drivers Across NSW
- TWO men have been charged with a staggering 72 offences after allegedly targeting elderly women in shopping centre car parks across NSW.
- The scammers would claim the women’s cars had a problem, before stealing their valuables while they were distracted.
- Police seized $6000 in cash and a haul of stolen goods from the men’s car, including international passports and a laptop.
- The alleged scams took place in multiple suburbs and regional centres, leaving a trail of devastated victims in their wake.
In a shocking series of events, two men allegedly preyed on elderly women in shopping centre car parks, using a cunning scam to steal their valuables. Gheorghe Toma, 57, and Mihai-Danut Ciuca, 37, were arrested on Wednesday after a thorough investigation by NSW Police.
According to police, the men would approach their victims, claiming there was an issue with their car. While the unsuspecting women were distracted, the other man would allegedly steal items such as wallets, purses, cash, and cards from inside the vehicle.
A NSW Police spokesperson revealed the alleged scam, saying: “While the bonnet is up, another man allegedly steals items from inside the vehicle.” The spokesperson’s words paint a disturbing picture of the men’s alleged tactics.
The men are accused of carrying out their alleged scams between January 3 and January 7 this year, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. The Sydney suburbs of Ashfield, Berowra Heights, Penrith, and Double Bay, plus regional centres of Goulburn, Newcastle, Shellharbour, Tumut, and Wagga Wagga, were among the places police say the alleged carpark scams took place.
Police allegedly seized a staggering $6000 in cash, vehicle wires, international passports, phones, a laptop, and receipts for money transfers from the men’s car. The haul of stolen goods is a stark reminder of the men’s alleged crimes.
Mr Toma and Mr Ciuca are both set to front Bail Division Court on Thursday, facing a total of 72 offences relating to alleged fraud, theft, and enter vehicle without consent. As the investigation continues, police have released vision of two men they wish to speak with, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The first man is described as being in his 40s with a caucasian appearance, solid build, wearing a white and black checkered long sleeve shirt and black shorts, sunglasses, and a black hat with a white graphic on the front. The other man is also described as being in his 40s with a caucasian appearance and a medium build, wearing a white sleeve shirt with black shorts, black shoes with white bottoms, a blue face mask, and a black hat with a white graphic on the front.