Irvine, California – Three women were arrested on June 30 in connection with an organized retail theft ring after license plate readers alerted police to a van linked to a prior theft at an Ulta Beauty store in Los Angeles.
Officers from the Irvine Police Department tracked the vehicle as it exited Alton Square shopping center. The suspects fled on foot into a residential neighborhood, but police body camera footage later showed officers apprehending all three after an extensive search.
Inside the suspects’ van, officers discovered more than $12,500 worth of stolen merchandise from retail stores across Irvine, Santa Ana, and Costa Mesa.
The suspects, identified as:
Sara Alexandru, 18, of Garden Grove
Simara Ghiocel, 19, of Westminster
Sara Mihalaiche, 19, of Garden Grove
…were all booked into Orange County Jail on multiple charges including organized retail theft, grand theft, and burglary.
The women are believed to be of Romanian descent, based on the origins of their surnames. Police have not confirmed whether additional suspects are involved or whether this group is linked to a larger theft ring.
Potential Charges & Penalties:
Under California law, the suspects face the following consequences:
Organized Retail Theft (Felony):
16 months to 3 years in state prison
Grand Theft (Misdemeanor or Felony):
Up to 1 year in jail (misdemeanor)
16 months to 3 years (felony)
Burglary:
Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year
Felony: Up to 3 years
Other possible outcomes include being banned from entering certain stores, probation up to two years, and denial of citation release.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and store reports to assess the full scope of the thefts.
