Massachusetts police arrested six women last week in connection with an alleged multi-state burglary ring after a break-in at a Norwood home led to a chaotic police chase and multiple ICE detentions. Authorities say the group may be part of an organized criminal network targeting homes across several states.
The arrests occurred on July 25, when Norwood police responded to a home on Neponset Street around 12:30 p.m. According to court documents, the homeowners had just left for a camping trip but returned minutes later after one of their children forgot a doll. Upon returning, they found several women inside their house.
The suspects fled in a gold Chevrolet Traverse, prompting a pursuit that ended in a shopping plaza parking lot off Route 1. From there, the women attempted to escape on foot, some reportedly trying to cross the nearby Neponset River. All six were eventually taken into custody after a brief but tense search.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured two women entering the home, while a third stood as a lookout at the top of the stairs. Police say some of the suspects initially claimed they were sharing religious materials and asking the homeowners if they “knew Jesus.” One neighbor, a retired police officer, said he saw the women walking door-to-door carrying books and Bibles before the incident.
The suspects — all residents of Maryland — were identified as Mirabela Caldarau, 42; Jajela Chiciu, 41; Flavia Caldararu, 22; Emilia Sardaru, 36; Michaela Ion, 33; and Elizabeth Sardaru, 21. All were charged with breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, conspiracy, possession of burglarious tools, and resisting arrest. Investigators also noted that two of the women had attempted to obscure or mutilate their fingerprints, a tactic sometimes used to avoid identification.
Norwood police said all six women were held without bail and arraigned at Dedham District Court on Monday. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were present at the court and immediately took three of the women into custody following their arraignment. Additionally, two men who arrived at court to post bail were also detained by ICE. Three of the women remain held in state custody.
Police have not said why the group targeted this particular home, but believe the women may have been watching the neighborhood and saw the family leave for their trip. Neighbors also told investigators they saw unfamiliar people in the area the previous week and suspect the group may have been casing the neighborhood.
Authorities say that the home the suspects broke into was reportedly left unlocked. On the upside, no injuries have been reported, and it doesn’t look like any property was stolen. That bein said, locals are understandably concerned about their once quiet neighborhood being targeted.
An investigation into the group’s ties to a larger organized crime ring operating across state lines is still ongoing. Police have not ruled out additional arrests.
