Two women wanted for thefts involving sex assault as distraction
Multiple store owners, employees targeted in Scarborough between June 2024 and April, Toronto Police say
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Two suspects have been identified after multiple distraction thefts over the last several months that began with the victims being sexually assaulted.
Toronto Police say the investigation centres around stores in Scarborough starting in June 2024 with the most recent incident reported last month.
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The suspects would enter a store, approach the owner or an employee and then allegedly sexual assault them, police said. A wallet or cash was then allegedly taken from the victim by a second suspect.
The first of the five incidents reported to police was on June 19, 2024, in the Mountjoy-Lamb Aves. area, while the most recent incident was on April 22 in the Danforth Rd.-Danforth Ave. area.
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The other incidents were reported on June 20, 2024, in the St. Clair Ave.-Kingston Rd. area; on March 13 in the Danforth Rd.-Midland Ave. area; and on April 19 in the Midland-Midwest Rd. area.
“The suspects are believed to be the same in each of the above incidents,” Const. Laurie McCann said. “On each occasion, the suspects are seen travelling in a dark-coloured Audi sedan or SUV.”
Police said Scumpina Ciuraru, 30, of Toronto, is wanted for theft over $5,000, two counts of theft under $5,000 and three counts of sexual assault.
Portocala Stanescu, 21, of Toronto, is also wanted for theft over $5,000, two counts of theft under $5,000 and three counts each of sexual assault as a party to an offence with another person and failure to comply with probation.
A third suspect has yet to be identified.
All three suspects were originally described as olive-skinned females with long black hair and either a slim or medium build.
Anyone with information can contact police at 416-808-4100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477 or 222tips.com.
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