Valer Iazmin Varga, Jewelry Theft, Georgia 2019

A brazen crew of thieves stole jewelry and cash from temples across the country, according to federal charges filed in Georgia.

Valer Iazmin Varga, 28, Robert-Auras Adam, 31, and Ana-Loredana Adam, 30, all Romanian nationals, have been arraigned on federal charges of conspiracy to transport, in interstate commerce, stolen goods with a value of at least $5,000 and transporting, in interstate commerce, gold jewelry with a value of at least $5,000.

The defendants allegedly stole gold and money from places of worship, posing as tourists and taking advantage of the temples' custom of receiving visitors with open arms. They were also accused of involving their minor children in their theft scheme.

According to U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak, the defendants traveled to Hindu and Buddhist places of worship in at least six states, including Georgia, for the purpose of stealing gold jewelry or cash. They allegedly posed as tourists and asked representatives of the temples questions regarding the customs and practices associated with the temples, while other defendants stole gold jewelry and cash from the temples.

The defendants were captured on camera within the sanctuaries, and in some cases, they were captured on film in the act of stealing jewelry. When three of the defendants were arrested on local charges in connection with the thefts in early June 2019, they were in possession of over $50,000 in U.S. currency, despite the fact that the defendants have no record of employment in the U.S.

The indictment only contains charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges. It will be the government's burden to prove the defendants' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Atlanta Division, Transnational Organized Crime Squad, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica C. Morris is prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that the indictment only contains charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges. Members of the public are encouraged to report any information related to this case to the authorities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga/pr/brazen-theft-crew-stole-jewelry-and-cash-temples-around-country