Boulder County, Colo. - On Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Grand Jury issued superseding indictments and indictments for new, additional defendants. These additional charges are the result of ongoing investigation by the Lafayette Police Department and our District Attorney’s Office into crimes committed by the Enterprise between August 2025 and May 2026 throughout the Denver metro area. This continued investigation determined that this major crime ring included additional members and impacted additional victims.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “This takedown will have a significant, positive impact on public safety all throughout the Denver area. I greatly appreciate the efforts and teamwork of the Lafayette Police Department and other Boulder County law enforcement agencies in bringing this crime ring, and many others, to justice.”
Lafayette Chief Brian Rosipajla stated, “I’m incredibly proud of the work Lafayette Police Department Detective Sergeant Jason Thompson and his detective division put into this case and multiple other COCCA investigations over the past several years. This case, as well as several other COCCA cases, required diligent investigation and professional use of technologies, to include Flock Safety ALPR cameras, to lead to successful outcomes. Thank you to all the local law enforcement agencies and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office for assistance solving this case that affected so many community members.”
See below for updated information.
Superseding Indictments:
New Indictments for Defendants who have been arrested:
As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
Original Press Release on May 12, 2026
Press Release – Operation Quick Cash
Boulder County, Colo. - Following an extensive investigation conducted primarily by the Lafayette Police Department and with help from Colorado Bureau of Investigations, the District Attorney’s Office announced today the indictment of a major crime ring that used card skimming devices on ATMs and cash registers at convenience stores to steal from hundreds of victims.
The indictment charges eleven (11) adults and one juvenile for violations of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act (COCCA), a class two felony, along with various other charges: Cybercrime, Identity Theft, Theft, Attempted Theft, Possession of Identity Theft Tools, Possession of Forgery Devices, Criminal Possession of Financial Devices, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The eight individuals indicted who have been arrested are Romario Ciuciu, Viorel Tudor, Ion Ciuciu, Felicia Ciuciu, Denisa Barbu, Ana Maria Dumitru, Madalina Velcu, and the juvenile. Many of the indicted individuals are family members.
The crime ring stole financial information using card skimming devices that members installed on ATMs and cash register point of sale machines at various convenience stores throughout the Front Range. The crime ring targeted 7-Eleven stores, in particular. The installed devices would surreptitiously record and encode the card and PIN numbers of when victims used the ATM or point of sale machines. The devices are difficult to detect, and victims were unaware that their financial card had been compromised. The crime ring then used the stolen financial information to create a copy of the card (a.k.a. a “cloned card”). They used cloned cards to steal money from the victims’ bank accounts. The crime ring targeted Colorado EBT cardholders in particular, and often drained the funds of those who qualified for government benefits.
The following indicted members of the criminal enterprise have been taken into custody with the following case numbers and bond amounts:
- Romario Ciuciu (DOB: 10/5/1999); Case Number 2026CR408, bond $1,000,000 cash/property/surety
- Viorel Isirus Tudor (DOB 11/8/1996); Case Number 2026CR410, bond $1,000,000 cash/property/surety
- Ion Ciuciu (DOB 9/10/1976); Case Number 2026CR415, bond $500,000 cash/property/surety
- Felicia Ciuciu (DOB 3/16/1978); Case Number 2026CR416, bond $500,000 cash/property/surety
- Madalina Velcu (DOB 1/15/2005); Case Number 2026CR417, bond $500,000 cash/property/surety
- Denisa Barbu (DOB 6/14/2001); Case Number 2026CR411, bond $500,000 cash/property/surety
- Ana Maria Dumitru (DOB 7/1/2000); Case Number 2026CR413, bond $250,000 cash/property/surety
- A Juvenile
In less than six months, this group engaged in extensive criminal conduct occurring all over the Front Range. By placing multiple skimming devices at numerous locations throughout the metro area, the crime ring stole the financial information of at least 447 Colorado EBT cards. In addition, law enforcement seized approximately 236 cloned cards, each containing the financial information of a unique victim. The group stole or attempted to steal at least $301,400.61 from victims in Colorado.
District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “Once again, a crime ring victimizing people across the Front Range made the mistake of venturing into Lafayette. Over the past few years, the Lafayette Police Department has repeatedly connected seemingly unrelated offenses to major crime operations to bring them to a halt. Their work has improved public safety across the metro area. As we have done in the past, our prosecution team presented this case to the Grand Jury and secured indictments. I am grateful to the grand jurors for their service.”
Patrol Commander John Sellers stated, “The Lafayette Police Department and all assisting agencies put in 6 months of incredibly hard work identifying numerous suspects to help bring justice to countless victims. Resolving complex cases like this would not be possible without the partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office.”
As in every criminal case, these charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.