2 adults, teenager accused in string of thefts from cosmetics stores
A man, woman and teenager who are accused in several thefts at cosmetics stores in the region were taken into custody in Cranberry Township on Monday, Oct. 9.
Police said they found thousands of dollars worth of makeup products in trash bags in the vehicle used by Laurentiu P. Ivanescu, 39, Monalisa Alexandru, 23, and a 13-year-old boy. They were apprehended directly after an alleged theft of $1,639 worth of merchandise from Ulta Beauty on Route 19.
Ivanescu and Alexandru were charged with felonies conspiracy, corrupt organizations and theft, and misdemeanor corruption of minors. Both were placed in Butler County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Lt. Chuck Mascellino of the Cranberry Township police said Butler County Children and Youth Services is assisting with the teenager.
According to Cranberry Township police, they were contacted Monday by officers in Robinson Township about a $3,000 retail theft of makeup products that occurred earlier that day. Ivanescu and Alexandru were suspected to be involved. Police said the two also were suspected in relation to a $7,000 theft in Morgantown, W.V., on Sunday.
Police said the pair were driving a 2023 GMC Acadia, which was seen close to the Ulta Beauty store on Route 19 around 4 p.m. Monday.
Surveillance footage later showed that Ivanescu, Alexandru and the teenager had been inside the store for a total of six minutes. While inside, police said the teenager acted as a lookout while Alexandru took 14 skin products ranging from $88 to $134 and concealed them in her skirt. The three then exited the store, police said.
Alexandru and Ivanescu were apprehended in the parking lot of Ulta Beauty, according to documents. A search of their vehicle yielded several trash bags with hundreds of items with a total value of more than $10,000. Other products were found on the floor near the passenger seat.
Alexandru and Ivanescu’s preliminary hearings before District Judge Kevin Flaherty are scheduled Oct. 20.
