PORTLAND OR– Two women have been identified and indicted for allegedly stealing a high-value gold coin from a Portland business.
The suspects are 30-year-old Flavia Avram of Kent and 29-year-old Ariana Muntean of Lynnwood. Both have outstanding arrest warrants.
According to Portland Police, a tip from FOX 12 during earlier coverage of the case led them to contact Lynnwood Police, who had previously identified the suspects in connection with crimes committed in Washington. This information ultimately led to their indictment in Portland.
According to PPB, in June the two women stole a gold one-ounce Maple Leaf coin worth $3,400 from Portland Precious Metals on Southeast 52nd Avenue. Store owner Michael Kakoullis says the thieves posed as customers and managed to take the coin while distracting an employee.
“They were really good, well planned out. They knew what they were doing; they were coming here for that,†said Kakoullis.
The coin was reportedly taken while the women inquired about other coins. As the employee focused on the merchandise, Kakoullis said one of the suspects palmed the coin while the other blocked the view.
“She was kind of palming that one maple leaf coin, and as she was pulling, her friend put her hand in front to block the view of her, and then it was really quick into her purse,†said Kakoullis.
According to police in Washington, days before the pair walked into Portland Precious Metals, the duo stole a necklace worth nearly $10,000 from a Zales Jewelry store in Lynwood.
On the same day, investigators said the suspects went to a clothing store in Lakewood, where they shorted an employee out of $400 in cash and stole a dress.
According to PPB, on July 6 an officer contacted the Lynnwood Police Department about the case and confirmed the suspects had been identified.
The case was presented to a Grand Jury on July 29, and a true bill was issued, meaning there is probable cause that the women with two counts of felony first-degree theft.
The two suspects remain at large.
If you have any information regarding this incident or information on these criminals, please contact the Jewelers’ Security Alliance at jsa2@jewelerssecurity.org or 212-687-0328.
Article provided by Fox 12 News Oregon. Click HERE to view.