Florida authorities say a theft ring targeted mailed church donations, and four suspects are now in custody. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), investigators allege the group stole more than 1,500 checks worth over $740,000 from 636 churches, including 355 in Florida.
The four suspects, identified by FDLE as Ionut, Panait and two men named Marius, were booked into the Orange County Jail. Two more suspects, Catalin and Simona, were still being sought when the arrests were announced on May 26. All six face allegations that include conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft and money laundering. These are allegations, and no guilt has been established.
Police say the group was based in Orlando but traveled to churches across Florida and outside the state, and that they sometimes hit dozens of churches in a single day, with some churches targeted more than once.
Investigators allege the suspects took donation checks from church mailboxes, deposited them into bank accounts opened under aliases, and pulled the money out at ATMs before banks caught on. The money was allegedly spent on vehicles, food and clothing, and a large portion was wired to Romania.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, whose Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the case, called the alleged scheme “despicable” in a statement, saying churches depend on the generosity of their communities.
The case began in December 2020, when the Cape Coral Police Department learned that 24 churches in Lee County had been targeted. The investigation then expanded across multiple jurisdictions and led to the FDLE operation, which was dubbed Operation Thou Shalt Not Steal.
A response from the suspects was not available at the time of publication.
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