ICE arrests of a Romanian couple followed Nassau County police charges tied to an alleged jewelry theft scheme that investigators say reached across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.
Table of Contents
Ice Arrests Update
The ICE arrests occurred after the Department of Homeland Security said the suspects, identified as Rudi Lacatusu and Mirabela Lacatusu, were arrested by Nassau County police on October 5, 2026.
Each suspect was charged with three counts of grand larceny, according to the DHS statement released October 13.
The charges are allegations, and the couple remains entitled to due process unless and until the claims are resolved in court.
What Nassau County police allege
Investigators say the pair approached people while traveling in a vehicle and asked for directions.
According to the account summarized by DHS, Mirabela Lacatusu allegedly exited the vehicle and hugged a person who had helped them.
Police allege that she used the interaction to unclasp and take the person’s necklace before leaving with Rudi Lacatusu.
The reported value of the stolen necklaces ranged from approximately $2,000 to $3,000 each.
Police said the investigation identified at least 14 alleged robberies across four states.
The DHS release did not provide a complete list of the reported victims, the dates of every incident or the specific counties where each theft allegedly occurred.
It also did not state whether additional charges could be filed as investigators review reports from other jurisdictions.
Local arrest was followed by ICE custody
Nassau County police turned the couple over to ICE after the local arrests, according to DHS.
The ICE arrests therefore followed the local criminal charges rather than replacing them.
That transfer means the defendants face two separate legal tracks: the criminal cases brought by local authorities and federal immigration proceedings handled by the Department of Homeland Security.
These ICE arrests do not determine the outcome of the criminal case.
A criminal charge does not by itself establish guilt, and ICE custody does not determine the outcome of the underlying criminal case.
The DHS statement said both individuals entered the United States unlawfully at an unknown time and location.
Because the department did not disclose their immigration records, the public statement does not establish when they entered, whether they previously had immigration cases or whether they have any prior convictions.
ICE detention and removal proceedings can continue while criminal charges are pending, although the timing and outcome depend on court orders, immigration decisions and other case-specific factors.
What happens after an ICE arrest
After a person is transferred into ICE custody, immigration officials generally determine where the person will be held and whether the person remains detained during removal proceedings.
Those steps can follow ICE arrests but do not mean removal has been completed.
The Online Detainee Locator System may provide custody information, although records can take time to appear and searches require accurate identifying information.
ICE’s locator instructs users searching by name to enter an exact first and last name and select the person’s country of birth.
Family members and attorneys may also contact ICE’s Detention and Reporting and Information Line for case-related assistance.
Neither an ICE arrest nor a transfer to federal custody is the same as a completed deportation.
The DHS statement said the couple would be removed, but the release did not provide a removal date or describe a final immigration order.
Any removal decision would follow the applicable immigration process and could be affected by criminal proceedings, appeals, custody decisions or other legal developments.
Why the case spans multiple states
The alleged conduct described by police involved victims in four states, creating a broader investigative picture than a single local theft case.
The ICE arrests brought federal immigration custody into a case that already involved multiple jurisdictions.
New York authorities may coordinate with law enforcement agencies in New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland when comparing reports, identifying similar methods and determining where charges may be appropriate.
Multi-state investigations can also affect evidence collection, witness interviews, property recovery and decisions about which jurisdiction will prosecute particular allegations.
The DHS release did not identify the agencies investigating the reported incidents outside Nassau County.
It also did not say whether any necklaces had been recovered or whether prosecutors had announced court dates for the defendants.
What victims and witnesses should know
People who believe they were victims of a similar necklace theft should report the incident to the local police department where it occurred.
Victims should preserve photographs, purchase records, insurance documents, surveillance footage and any information about the vehicle or people involved.
Witnesses should avoid confronting suspected thieves and should provide identifying details directly to investigators.
Anyone seeking information about the ICE arrests or a person in ICE custody can use the agency’s official detainee locator or contact ICE through its published public information channels.
Because custody locations and case statuses can change, relatives should verify information about the ICE arrests through official sources rather than relying on social media posts or unofficial databases.
What remains unclear
The public DHS release does not explain the evidence supporting each grand larceny count.
It does not identify the alleged theft locations, disclose whether prosecutors have filed indictments or say whether the couple has entered pleas.
The release also does not provide information about defense attorneys, bail decisions, court appearances or the suspects’ current immigration case numbers.
Those details may become available through Nassau County court records, police updates or later federal immigration announcements.
For now, the confirmed development is that the ICE arrests followed Nassau County police action on October 5, 2026, when officers arrested the couple and later transferred them to ICE custody after charging them in connection with an alleged multi-state jewelry theft operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did ICE arrest in the jewelry theft case?
DHS identified the people in custody as Rudi Lacatusu and Mirabela Lacatusu, described as Romanian nationals. Nassau County police charged each with three counts of grand larceny before transferring them to ICE custody.
What are the couple accused of doing?
Police allege that the pair approached victims while asking for directions and that Mirabela Lacatusu used a hug to remove necklaces before the couple drove away. Investigators said the alleged thefts occurred across four states.
How many thefts are connected to the investigation?
The DHS statement said police attributed at least 14 alleged robberies to the couple in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.
Does ICE custody mean the couple has been deported?
No. ICE custody is not the same as completed removal. The couple may face immigration proceedings, and the timing or outcome of any removal depends on the applicable legal process.
How can relatives check whether someone is in ICE custody?
Relatives can use the official ICE Online Detainee Locator System by entering the person’s exact name and country of birth. Information may not appear immediately and should be verified through official ICE channels.
Fact-Checked: This report is based on the October 13, 2026 DHS release and official ICE detainee-locator information; the criminal allegations remain unresolved.
Disclaimer: This article reports government allegations and custody information available at publication time; charges are not findings of guilt.
New Minimum Wage In Canada and 5 Provinces, Effective April 1
