Pair Nabbed For Attempting To Rob Man, 83, In Walmart Parking Lot: Mt Prospect PD

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL — Two Seattle residents, who police say are part of a larger trans-continental criminal organization, are behind bars after police said they attempted to rob an 83-year-old man outside a Walmart store last month. Bianca Miclescu, 21, and Vasile Nicolae, 20, were arrested and charged with a felony on Aug. 27 for that incident that occurred on the previous day.

Both remain in the Cook County Jail until their next court appearance on Sept. 10.

According to Mount Prospect police, a community service officer was at the store at the Walmart, located at 930 Mt. Prospect Plaza, at around 3:33 p.m. Aug. 26, when he was alerted to a man screaming for help in the parking lot. The victim, 83, told police two people had just tried to scam and rob him. The victim was able to get away from the pair, who fled the parking lot in their vehicle.

Police said the community service officer radioed for assistance and shared a description of the vehicle and the two. Police were able to locate the suspect vehicle leaving the scene at Walmart. The vehicle was stopped, and the occupants were identified as Miclescu and Nicolae.

The victim positively identified Miclescu and Nicolae as the two who attempted to give him fake jewelry, while attempting to take his watch from his wrist, according to police. The whole incident was captured on the video surveillance in the Walmart parking lot.

The two were arrested and charged with felony attempted robbery of a person over 60 years old, as approved by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. During the subsequent investigation, detectives developed evidence indicating Miclescu and Nicolae are part of a larger trans-continental criminal organization that has been active in the Chicagoland area since July. The Mount Prospect Police Department is actively working with multiple surrounding law enforcement agencies investigating similar crimes, to assist in bringing those cases to a resolution.

"I am thankful that our victim was not injured and very proud of the quick action taken by our community service Officer, officers and detectives in this situation," Mount Prospect Chief Michael Eterno said. "As a result of their hard work and dedication to our community, we were not only able to charge these two offenders in our case but are working to assist in solving other cases in the Chicagoland area."