63 smoke detectors stolen from Lowe’s stores; 2 arrested

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Two Romanian men believed to be part of a national theft syndicate are appearing in St. Louis County Circuit Court on Wednesday after being charged with stealing several dozen smoke detectors from area Lowe’s stores.

According to the Chesterfield Police Department’s probable cause statement, the most recent theft occurred on Monday, Oct. 14, at the Lowe’s in Chesterfield.

Police said employees observed the two men, Crisan Vasile and Florin Stefan, leave the store with $3,000 worth of smoke detectors.

Chesterfield police tracked the men to a Fenton Lowe’s and took the pair into custody.

Police said they recovered 63 smoke detectors worth approximately $8,200, which had been reported stolen from stores in Chesterfield and Ballwin.

Police said Vasile and Stefan have California addresses. Vasile has several warrants for burglary in California, as well as a warrant for grand theft out of Idaho. Stefan has a warrant in California for felony identity theft.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Vasile and Stefan with stealing – $750 or more. Both remain jailed on $50,000 cash-only bonds.

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