Police Seeking Leads on Organized Theft Ring

Detectives with the Pasadena Police Department are working with multiple Southland law enforcement agencies on an investigation into an organized retail theft ring following a September 8 operation at Macy’s at 401 S. Lake Avenue which resulted in four arrests.

At a press conference on Wednesday, police said Vasile Alberto Balan was charged with one count of grand theft. His bail was set at $300,000, police said. Balan had an outstanding no-bail warrant from Las Vegas related to theft and counterfeiting. 

Additionally, Sorin Marin Stefan, Mihaela Simion, and Cosmin Lucian Cismary were each charged with one count of grand theft involving an attempt to escape from Macy’s on Lake Avenue after attempting to steal clothes. 

Their bail was set at $250,000 each.

“Police stopped the trio as they left the department store. Balan managed to get to the vehicle and attempted to flee from Pasadena police,” said Lt. Carolyn Gordon. “We saw four subjects enter the Macy’s and they appear to be working together and concealing merchandise. The suspects left the store concealing the merchandise, not making any attempts to pay.”

According to Gordo, Balen was able to get to the vehicle and drive off. He was pursued by black and white units rolling with their lights and sirens on. 

The vehicle drove towards police on Hudson Street near the Pasadena Unified School District headquarters and swerved around the police cruiser. At that point, police used an intervention technique and were able to disable the vehicle, which also helped police apprehend the suspect without incident. 

“We are working right now with Tustin PD, Ventura County Sheriffs, as well as Las Vegas Metro Police. We know that these subjects are involved in numerous crimes throughout California and Las Vegas,” Gordon said on Wednesday.

The suspects may be involved in 15 different crimes. 

Police have recovered Romanian passports from the suspects, who currently are only responding in that language. The group has been deported before, according to Gordon. 

The Tustin Police Dept. is currently filing arrest warrants on the suspects, who are still in L.A. County jail.