West Coast Duo Arrested in Wisconsin Two Months After Initial Crime Report; Charges Filed

VIROQUA, Wis. — Two guys from the West Coast were arrested in Wisconsin on Monday afternoon. Over the past two months, the suspects are said to have tried to scam drivers out of money several times.

A press statement from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) says that Alexandru Uca, 28, from Washington, and Armando Vaduva, 27, from California, were arrested after a high-risk stop by deputies and officers from other departments.

The first report of the crime was made on May 30, when a man in a black SUV approached a caller at a gas station and asked for money while offering jewelry in exchange. The victims said the suspect had a gun on them and made them feel scared. The jewelry was also fake.

Police across the state were sent a crime alert on June 4 after a similar event was looked into by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office (SCCSO). On July 15, something similar happened near Readstown and was reported to the VCSO the next day.

Late Monday morning, a deputy who was on high watch saw the car going north on U.S. 14 just south of Viroqua. The car was stopped without any problems, and cash and property were taken by police. Uca and Vaduva were then taken to the Vernon County Jail.

Since Uca is being held by federal officials, the St. Croix County District Attorney is seeking formal charges. Vaduva, on the other hand, has already been charged with theft and false representation.

On Monday, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Viroqua Police Department helped with the situation. The VCSO and SCCSO are now working with US Customs and Border Protection.