Los Angeles police Thursday announced the arrests of two suspects and the identifies of six more who are allegedly part of an international crime ring responsible for the theft of jewelry and high-end clothing from business across the U.S., the U.K. and Canada.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart Division, with assistance from Wilshire Division detectives, the Glendale Police Department, Arcadia Police Department, Pasadena Police Department, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Jewelers Security Alliance on Wednesday concluded a month-long investigation that resulted in the arrests of Constantin Totoi, 38, and European Muntaneu 40.
“A search warrant was served related to a grand theft incident that occurred in Rampart Division on December 16, 2025,” according to an LAPD statement. “On December 17, 2025, a news segment aired regarding the incident that generated investigative leads and prompted the initiation of a coordinated multi-agency investigation. As a result of the investigation, detectives identified several members of a transnational organized crime group believed to be responsible for multiple thefts targeting jewelry and retail businesses across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.”
The group is believed to have been active since 2016, according to the LAPD.
“During the service of the search warrant, detectives recovered watches, jewelry and clothing believed to be stolen during these incidents,” police said.
Also recovered were various phony identification documents, including passports.
It was not immediately clear where the two arrested suspects were apprehended or if they remain in custody.
The suspects who remain at large were identified as Raytan Muntaneu, 26; Acunta Muntean, 40; Anghel Bazill, 28; Ioan Markus, 30; Procotor Muntean, 25; and Retan Varga, 28.
Procotor Muntean and Varga were arrested in Indiana in February 2025 after being linked to multiple thefts in Illinois and Wisconsin, Indiana state police told a local broadcast station at the time. Authorities recovered more than $50,000 in stolen jewelry, electronics, cash and other items from the vehicle Muntean was driving. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator was stopped by police, who had received a tip the vehicle had been used during a theft in a Chicago suburb.
An investigation revealed that Muntean, whose address was listed as Queens Village, New York; and Varga, of East Kent, Washington, were allegedly linked to a theft near Milwaukee.
It was not immediately clear how either of their cases was adjudicated.
Anyone with information about the thefts or the location of the outstanding suspects was urged to call Rampart Division Detective Jose Hidalgo at 213-713-2932.
Anonymous tipsters can call L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.