A shopper in the Vineyard Shopping Center encountered three people in a parked black SUV with Florida plates who attempted to sell him a gold chain, still in its box. Suspicions aroused, the shopper called Healdsburg Police from the Chase Bank at 10:37am on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
“The reporting party felt that the nature of the interaction was suspicious and alerted police,” according to a social media post by Healdsburg Police on the following day.
An officer located the vehicle as described and contacted its occupants. “During an investigation and subsequent search of the vehicle Officers located about 30 suspected counterfeit sealed and labeled Apple Watches and Ear Pods, over 250 pieces of suspected counterfeit gold jewelry, over $2,500 cash, and several gift cards,” continued the Facebook post.
The circumstances led to the arrest of three individuals on suspicion of possessing for sale counterfeit trademarked goods and counterfeit gold. They were identified as 23-year-old Maarco Miclescu, 31-year-old Avrinte Miclescu and 28-year-old Cristina Sirbu, all of Florida.
The three were booked into Sonoma County Jail.
Miclescu is a Bulgarian name. Perhaps the trio are enterprising immigrants.