Beware Of Jewelry Thieves Using Distraction Techniques: Loudoun Sheriff

ASHBURN, VA – The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about thefts involving distraction tactics, as the sheriff says the department is investigating eight separate incidents over the past 30 days in which victims were deliberately distracted so suspects could remove victims’ jewelry from their bodies or take it from stores.

On April 19, the sheriff’s office released a photo of a suspect accused of using distraction tactics to rob a jewelry store in Ashburn.

On April 22, the sheriff’s office announced that it had arrested two people in connection with a similar theft: Denisa Ghiocel, 31, and Dorel Ghiocel, 35, both of no fixed address, in connection with an attempted jewelry robbery in Ashburn. The victim, an adult woman, was unharmed.

Each suspect was charged with one count of attempted robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. The two are being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond.

The sheriff's office believes the two suspects are connected to some of the prior distraction-tactic thefts and are part of a larger criminal network operating in the region.

According to the sheriff's office, the suspects were arrested when Loudoun County deputies identified a vehicle associated with previous crimes and were notified of an attempted robbery with a similar vehicle description on the 41000 block of Misty Dawn Drive. Deputies stopped the vehicle on Route 50 west of Middleburg and the suspects were arrested without incident.

The Loudoun County sheriff is warning county residents to beware of distraction-tactic thefts.

They describe this type of theft as when someone intentionally diverts your attention so they can grab wallets, purses or other items. According to the sheriff’s office, common tactics include asking for directions or help, claiming something is wrong with your vehicle, creating a commotion or staged emergency, offering fake jewelry or gifts or attempting to hug or get unusually close to you.

Authorities recommend keeping purses, wallets and phones out of sight and secure and being cautious of strangers who approach you unexpectedly.

Anyone with information related to these suspects and incidents or similar incidents is asked to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at (703) 777-1021. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Loudoun County Crime Solvers at (703) 777-1919 or submit a tip through the LCSO app.