SAN DIEGO—A Romanian husband and wife pleaded guilty June 20 to laundering money that federal prosecutors allege was proceeds from a string of thefts targeting elderly victims across San Diego County.
Eduard Ghiocel, 47, and Floarea Ghiocel, 48, were charged along with four others with taking part in 17 jewelry thefts in “elderly communities” in San Diego. The Ghiocels’ co-defendants, who include their two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a girlfriend of one of the sons, remain at large, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors say around $1.4 million was laundered.
A criminal complaint alleges the crimes typically targeted senior citizens in shopping center parking lots or residential areas. Victims were often distracted by the suspects while their jewelry or other valuables were taken through sleight-of-hand techniques….