The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 5-year prison sentence for a Romanian crime ring member. Vasile Bricage stole more than $38,000 in smartphones and other items from six Walmart locations across five Florida counties — all within the span of six days. 

Acting Attorney General John Guard said, “This member of a Romanian crime ring targeted Walmart locations spanning five Florida counties — causing more than $38,000 in losses. Now, thanks to our Statewide Prosecutors, he will pay for his crimes.” 

Vasile Bricage, working alongside co-defendant Antonio Briceag and two unknown female accomplices, stole smartphones and other items from Walmart locations in Citrus, Okaloosa, Pinellas, Santa Rosa and Sarasota counties. In several cases, Bricage and his accomplices entered the stores and proceeded to the electronics department. Then, members of the group would distract employees or act as lookouts while using an unknown implement to defeat the anti-theft devices at the phone display.