2 accused of replacing $100 bills with $1 bills in gold artwork purchase in Wiscasset
New York Couple Charged with Theft in Wiscasset Art Shop
A pair of New York residents was arrested in Wiscasset, Maine, after police say they stole a gold‑decorated artwork from a local fine‑arts shop by swapping counterfeit one‑dollar bills for genuine hundred‑dollar bills. The incident, which began on August 9, has led to criminal charges and a broader investigation that may tie the suspects to a national theft ring.
On the morning of August 9, Mircea Lucaci, 35, and Maria Rostas, 49, entered Ingram Fine Arts & Antiques on Main Street and expressed interest in a gold‑covered sculpture valued at roughly $8,000. The shop owner negotiated a lower purchase price with the couple, which they accepted and paid with a stack of what appeared to be $100 bills. After the transaction, while the owner was distracted, Lucaci and Rostas reportedly switched many of the hundred‑dollar notes for $1 bills and left with the artwork.
The next day, an officer responding to a reported theft discovered the missing artwork and notified Wiscasset Police. Both suspects were taken into custody and charged with theft by deception, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Prosecutors noted that the stolen property was valued between $1,000 and $10,000, qualifying the crime as a felony under state law.
The Wiscasset Police Department said that Lucaci and Rostas each have outstanding arrest warrants in other states for similar thefts and that they may be connected to a Romanian‑based theft ring that has targeted high‑value items across the United States. The investigation is ongoing; authorities have requested that anyone with information about the case contact the Wiscasset police at 207‑882‑8202.
The case has drawn the assistance of several law‑enforcement agencies, including the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Kennebunk Police, Fairfax County Police in Virginia, and Melbourne Police in Florida. The cooperation reflects the suspected interstate nature of the suspects’ criminal activity.
In a statement, the Ingram Fine Arts & Antiques owner expressed frustration that a local shop had become the target of a sophisticated theft scheme. “We’re still piecing together how this happened, but we’re grateful for the quick response of the police and the support from other jurisdictions,” the owner said.
The charges carry significant potential penalties, and investigators have indicated that additional charges could follow once the investigation concludes. The suspects’ previous warrants and alleged connections to a broader theft ring raise questions about whether this incident is an isolated prank or part of a larger criminal network.
Local residents and collectors are advised to remain vigilant. If anyone has seen unusual activity near Ingram Fine Arts & Antiques or has information that could aid the investigation, police urge them to call 207‑882‑8202 immediately.
