The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Alice Cimpeanu, 20, and a male juvenile suspect, 17, both Romanian nationals.
Cimpeanu was arrested on one count each of fraudulent use of a credit card and organized scheme to defraud. The male juvenile was arrested for driving without a valid license.
FDLE’s investigation began on Aug. 6, when special agents in Jacksonville coordinated with asset protection representatives from two major retailers about a retail theft group that was using stolen EBT cards to purchase large quantities of energy drinks and baby formula.
The investigation revealed that the stolen cards were being re-encoded and that suspects were using different cards to make the purchases. Agents were able to identify both Cimpeanu and the male juvenile as the suspects making the purchases.
St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrests. Cimpeanu has a final order of removal from the United States. The male juvenile is being referred into the removal process with a court date.
The investigation remains active. Additional charges forthcoming.
