Anaheim police say juvenile suspects posed as ICE agents to rob Hispanics

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) – Anaheim police are hoping more victims will come forward after two 19-year-old suspects allegedly robbed several people while posing as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to police.

“No police officer would ever approach someone and ask for money,” said Anaheim Police Sergeant Jon McClintock.

“I know of at least five robberies that have occurred in Anaheim since June 10,” McClintock added. “We know of several robberies that have occurred in Santa Ana and surrounding cities in Orange County.”

On Thursday, 19-year-old Laurentiu Baceanu and 19-year-old Vasile Alexandru were arrested in Fullerton after committing two robberies in Anaheim earlier that day.

“At least one of our robberies involved a large amount of cash,” McClintock said.

Pablo Ramirez nearly fell victim to the wrong agents when he was approached in the parking lot of a Westminster shopping center last week.

“They came up to me and said, ‘Hey buddy, immigration.’ They pulled their badges out from under their shirts,” Ramirez said. “They were well dressed, like they were lawyers, and you get a little scared because you think they’re immigration.”

Ramirez knew something was wrong and told the men he would call the police.

The ICE imitators drove off in a grey SUV.

He said his brother had fallen victim to the suspects four days earlier. They allegedly stole $900.

“They also told him they were from immigration,” Ramirez said. “The same thing happened to me. Since he’s only been in this country for a short time, he became a victim and they took his money.”

Anaheim police said the suspects targeted Hispanic victims in public.

They ask others who may have been victims of attacks to call the authorities.