Fugitive Jewelry Thief Arrested in Florida After Using His Young Son to Showcase Stolen Items

An wanted fugitive involved in multiple jewelry thefts across various states was apprehended in Florida after authorities spotted a luxury Rolex valued over $40,000 on his 10-year-old son’s wrist. The man, Marcu Rostas, 33, often traveling under the guise of a “gypsy,” was taken into custody shortly after allegedly robbing a jewelry store in Stuart, Florida.

When police stopped Rostas, he was accompanied by his wife and two young children, both displaying pieces of stolen jewelry—his son with the high-end Rolex and his daughter wearing an expensive necklace. Officers also found extensive stolen valuables in his vehicle, including a diamond ring, gold chains, gold coins, and $30,000 in cash, estimated to be worth around $400,000 in total. The stolen items were cleverly concealed inside a child’s stuffed animal.

Investigators uncovered multiple fake IDs used by Rostas and confirmed he is in the country illegally, originating from Romania. During their search, authorities also seized various luxury items and cash, valued at approximately $400,000. Rostas’s children were found wearing the stolen jewelry, including a Rolex and a necklace.

The sheriff’s office described Rostas as part of a larger group of traveling “distraction thieves,” often called “gypsies,” who systematically target victims nationwide. These gangs typically use women and children to divert attention while adult accomplices steal valuables swiftly from jewelry stores, retail establishments, and private homes.

Though not yet charged, Rostas faces deportation procedures following the arrest, with immigration agents placing a detainer on him. The authorities continue to consider him part of an extensive network engaged in thefts across the country.