POLK COUNTY, Fla. – What began as a routine complaint about illegal parking in a handicap space at a local UPS Store on Monday turned into a multi-arrest situation, revealing that all four individuals involved were in the United States illegally, and three had outstanding warrants.
On Monday, May 12, 2025, at approximately 12:35 pm, Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at the UPS Store located at 109 Ambersweet Way in Davenport. The complaint concerned a recreational vehicle (RV) parked in a designated handicap parking spot.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the driver of the RV, identified as 45-year-old Liliana Tinichigiu. Tinichigiu, who identified herself with a New York driver’s license and claimed to be a Romanian national, was found to have two outstanding warrants out of Virginia for Theft of More Than $1000 (2 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Theft, and Possession of Stolen Property with Intent to Sell.
While attempting to take her into custody, Tinichigiu allegedly resisted the deputy’s efforts and was subsequently charged with resisting arrest in addition to the out-of-state warrants.
The situation escalated when Tinichigiu’s daughter, 29-year-old Samariteanca Tinichigiu, identified as an Irish national, exited the RV and reportedly interfered with the deputies’ investigation of her mother.
Despite warnings to stop, Samariteanca continued to impede the officers, leading to her arrest for violating Florida’s HALO (Helping Law Enforcement Officers) Law.
Samariteanca also allegedly resisted the deputy’s attempts to take her into custody. Further investigation revealed that she, too, was wanted in Virginia on the same charges as her mother. She was arrested on the warrant and additionally charged with Interfering with a First Responder and Resisting.
As deputies were securing the two women, two men emerged from a nearby barber shop. One of the men, 19-year-old Elisey Rostas Tinichigiu, also identified as an Irish national, began to interfere with the deputies at the scene.
Despite being warned against his actions, Elisey persisted. When asked to identify himself, he reportedly refused. Deputies were eventually able to identify him, and he was arrested and charged with Interfering with a First Responder and Resisting.
The fourth individual who exited the barber shop was 31-year-old Viorel Otu Tanase, identified as a British national.
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Tanase reportedly heeded the deputies’ warnings not to interfere with their investigation. In fact, he assisted by taking a 3-year-old child from Liliana Tinichigiu when she was being arrested.
In the process of providing identification to the deputies, it was discovered that Tanase also had an outstanding warrant for Felony Theft out of Georgia, leading to his arrest.
A family member arrived on the scene to take custody of the children who were present. The Florida Department of Children and Families was also notified regarding the situation.
Furthermore, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been contacted regarding the immigration status of all four individuals.
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