Deformed finger identifies Collier County distraction theft suspects

Reporter: Zach Oliveri Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
Suspects in distraction theft in Collier County. CREDIT: CCSO

A duo from Miami faces over a dozen charges in connection with multiple distraction thefts and credit card fraud in Collier County. The newest charges are from an alleged distraction theft on March 22, at 13080 US-41 East, at an Aldi grocery store.

Detectives identified the suspects, Oscar Enrique Samamamd-Lujan and Rosa Gladys Grados-Salvador, from one of Oscar’s tattoos and Rosa’s deformed finger.

“Our detectives did a terrific job identifying and arresting these individuals who came here to prey on vulnerable citizens in our community,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “If you come to Collier County to commit crime, we will arrest you. You will be held accountable for your criminal activity.”

The victim was in her 70s when the suspected crimes occurred.

While shopping at Aldi in the spice aisle, and then a woman wearing a facemask came up to her. The woman wearing the facemask asked for help getting chili from the top shelf.

Afterward, while still shopping, the victim started getting fraud alerts from her bank. Quickly, she checked her purse and noticed her wallet was missing.

Detectives reviewed the security video from the store. The video showed while the victim’s back was turned to help the woman wearing a facemask, a man also wearing a facemask approached the shopping cart with her purse inside. He put his arm holding a towel over the victim’s purse for a few seconds.

The man then left the store, followed shortly after by the woman too.

After leaving the store the suspects spent more than $6,000 around Collier County. The suspects made stops at places like ABC Liquore, Home Depot, GameStop, and more.

Walmart security footage reviewed by detectives shows the man’s tattoos. Detectives also noticed the woman’s middle finger on her right hand appeared deformed.

After arresting the duo on Monday, along with two others for distraction thefts at the TJ Maxx and Walmart Neighborhood Market off Airport-Pulling Road in North Naples.

Then detectives searched for similarities with other distraction theft cases and found the tattoos and deformed finger matched the Aldi suspects.

Consequently, arrested the duo on new charges at the Collier County Jail.

“Samamamd-Lujan, 31, of Miami, faces 31 counts of credit card fraud and theft. Grados-Salvador, 63, of Miami Gardens, is charged with ten counts of credit card fraud and theft,” the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.

Not being content with the charges as they were, Samamamd-Lujan was also charged with providing false information to law enforcement after giving deputies a fake passport when he was arrested on Monday.

Detectives are under the impression the pair are just a small piece of a much larger group going around Florida engaging in a variety of distraction theft ruses.

This is an active investigation, WINK News will update this article with more information when it becomes available.

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