Romanian national pleads guilty in wealthy Connecticut home invasion scheme

A shocking home invasion unfolded on April 15, 2007, in South Kent, Connecticut, when a wealthy couple fell victim to a bizarre and terrifying scheme. Stefan Alexandru Barabas, a Romanian national, along with his accomplices Emanuel Nicolescu and Alexandru Lucian Nicolescu, broke into a mansion, threatening the occupants with a harmless blue dye injected into their bodies. The victims were then coerced into believing they had been infected with a deadly virus and were demanded to pay $8.5 million for an antidote.

Guilty Pleas and Sentencing

Stefan Alexandru Barabas, 38, recently pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by extortion. If his plea agreement is accepted, he will face a six to seven-year prison sentence, according to a Department of Justice press release. This marks a significant development in the case that has been ongoing for several years.

Details of the Invasion

The invasion involved the intruders binding and blindfolding the victims before administering the blue dye injection and making their exorbitant demand. The victims were held captive for five to six hours before being drugged with a sleeping aid and the intruders fled in the homeowner's Jeep. Notably, the home belonged to Anne Bass, an investor, documentary filmmaker, and art collector, and her boyfriend, artist Julian Lethbridge. Emanuel Nicolescu, a former butler of Bass, was involved in the invasion, adding a disturbing layer of betrayal to the crime.

Crucial Evidence and Investigation

A week after the invasion, crucial evidence was found on a beach, including a stun gun, an Airsoft gun, a knife, sleeping pills, syringes, latex gloves, and a laminated card with the victims' address. The investigation made significant headway when a partial license plate led to the identification of Michael N. Kennedy as the getaway driver. This breakthrough ultimately resulted in the capture and conviction of all the individuals involved in the heinous crime.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Emanuel Nicolescu, after being found guilty of attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, and possession of a stolen vehicle, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. Meanwhile, Kennedy, a dual citizen of Romania and the U.S., was sentenced to 48 months in prison. Additionally, Alexandru Nicolescu received a sentence of 10 years and one month, while Barabas awaits sentencing after being detained since his 2022 arrest.

International Pursuit of Justice

It is noteworthy that all four men fled the U.S. during the investigation. However, law enforcement's diligence led to the capture of Emanuel Nicolescu in Illinois, Alexandru Nicolescu in the United Kingdom, and Kennedy's voluntary return to the United States in November 2021. Barabas, who had been a fugitive in Hungary, was apprehended in August 2022, marking a significant victory in the pursuit of justice.