Arrests Made In Napa Kidnapping, Robbery Series: Police

NAPA, CA — Napa police made arrests Wednesday in connection with two robbery and kidnapping incidents in the city.

In the first incident reported the evening of Sept. 21, the victim told police they were approached by a group of people who offered to sell them jewelry. When the victim declined, the suspects demanded money and brandished a knife, Napa police Lt. Veronica Rodrigues said in a news release.

The victim turned over the money and was forced by the suspects to drive to a nearby bank but while en route to the bank, the suspects got out of the victim's car and took off in an awaiting car, Rodrigues said.

Officers responded to a similar armed robbery and kidnapping on Sept. 24. In this incident, the victim said they were approached by a person who asked for help. When the victim stopped, the suspect got into the victim’s car and brandished a handgun, the lieutenant said.

"The suspect demanded the victim’s wallet and phone," Rodrigues said. "Again, the victim was forced to drive the suspect before they exited and fled in an awaiting vehicle."

Wednesday morning, the Napa Police Department learned the car involved in the robberies was back in the city of Napa. Officers found the car, conducted a traffic stop and detained the people who were in the car.

The victims positively identified the occupants of the car as the suspects of the two prior robbery and kidnapping cases, the lieutenant said.

Officers searched the suspects and their car and recovered approximately $36,000 in cash and jewelry described by a prior victim, Rodrigues said.

The suspects, Ghiocel Laurentiu, a 26-year-old man, and Rita Petrache, a 25-year-old woman, were booked into Napa County jail on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a crime. They remained in custody Thursday with their bail set at $250,000 each, jail records showed.