STUART, Fla. - An illegal immigrant from Romania is accused of stealing $400,000 of jewelry and hiding it in a child’s stuffed animal one day after he hit a South Florida jewelry store.

What we know:

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Marcu Rostas, 33, is part of a larger network of traveling distraction thieves, sometimes referred to as "traveling gypsies," who move through the United States, targeting unsuspecting victims by using deceptive tricks to steal large amounts of money or valuables.

Rostas was arrested on Monday along Martin Downs Boulevard.

During his arrest, deputies recovered more than $400,000 in stolen jewelry, including high-end watches, a $40,000 diamond ring, gold chains, gold coins, and $30,000 in cash. Deputies say the stolen jewelry was found st

See Full Page