By Trend News Line 2024-06-19 02:41:00.
Man from Romania Pleads Guilty in Connecticut Home Invasion Case
Stefan Barabas, a 38-year-old man from Romania, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to his involvement in a home invasion that took place in Connecticut back in 2007. This development was revealed by U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
Details of the Crime
According to court documents and statements presented in court by Avery, Barabas, along with Emmanuel Nicolescu and Alexandru Nicolescu, entered a home in South Kent in the early hours of April 15, 2007. The trio, donning masks and carrying knives and objects resembling guns, proceeded to bind and blindfold two adults inside the residence.
The victims were then threatened with an extortion demand of $8.5 million and injected with an unknown substance while being warned of a deadly virus if they failed to comply. Unable to meet the demands, the residents were drugged with sleeping pills before the intruders made off with the homeowner’s Jeep Cherokee.
Discovery of Crucial Evidence
A pivotal breakthrough in the case came on April 21, 2007, when an accordion case containing essential evidence washed ashore in Jamaica Bay. The contents of the case included a stun gun, a knife, an Airsoft gun, syringes, and other items linking back to the South Kent address of the victims. This discovery played a crucial role in piecing together the events of that fateful night.
Arrests and Sentencing
Following an extensive investigation, Barabas was apprehended as a fugitive in Hungary on August 16, 2022. He is set to be sentenced on September 11, with the possibility of a 6 to 7-year prison term as per a binding plea agreement.
Emanuel Nicolescu, one of the other perpetrators, returned to the U.S. and was arrested in Illinois in January 2011. He was eventually sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the home invasion.
Alexandru Nicolescu, another accomplice, was apprehended in the United Kingdom in 2013 and received a sentence of 10 years and one month in 2019 for his role in the crime.
Law Enforcement Involvement
The investigation into the home invasion case saw the collaboration of various law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the New York City Police Department. Their combined efforts were instrumental in bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring closure for the victims.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the impact of such heinous crimes on the lives of individuals and communities. The guilty pleas and subsequent sentencing of those involved offer a semblance of justice for the victims and their families..
1. Floating accordion case key arrest in Conn. home invasion
2. Accordion case key arrest in 2007 Conn. home invasion.