The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured a five-year prison sentence for Vasile Bricage, a member of a Romanian crime ring. Bricage was involved in the theft of over $38,000 worth of smartphones and other items from six Walmart locations across five counties in Florida within six days.
Acting Attorney General John Guard commented on the case, stating, “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.”
Bricage worked alongside co-defendant Antonio Briceag and two unidentified female accomplices. The group targeted Walmart stores in Citrus, Okaloosa, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, and Sarasota counties. Their method involved distracting employees or acting as lookouts while using an unknown tool to bypass anti-theft devices at phone displays.
In one instance in Citrus County, the group employed a different tactic. After browsing the electronics section, Bricage selected a black crowbar from the hardware department. He then returned to the electronics area to pry open two locked phone cabinets. The group stole 26 iPhones valued at over $22,000, with cabinet damages exceeding $1,600.
Bricage faced charges including racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, retail theft over $3,000, grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000, and use or attempted use of any antishoplifting device countermeasure. He is currently under a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold as a Romanian national.
Co-defendant Antonio Briceag faces charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering but remains at large.
The investigation was led by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office with Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Guillermo Vallejo prosecuting the case.
