SOUTHBOROUGH — A New York man wanted in connection with an alleged $2,500 scam targeting a Newton resident was arrested after Southborough police found suspected counterfeit Apple products and a Rolex in his vehicle.
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Southborough Police Officer Panajoti Samarxhi was patrolling Turnpike Road when he learned the vehicle traveling ahead of him, a 2026 Ford Explorer, was wanted by Newton police in connection with a fraud investigation.
According to the Southborough Police Department, Officer Samarxhi stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Alexandru Ilie, 42, of Whitestone, New York. Officer Samarxhi determined Ilie had a suspended license and took him into custody without incident.
A child was also observed by police lying across the back seat of the vehicle without a seat belt on.
Officer Samarxhi contacted Newton police during the on-scene investigation and was informed that Ilie was wanted for allegedly scamming a Newton resident out of $2,500.
During an inventory search of the vehicle, Detective Anthony Vega allegedly found a bag containing 11 AirPod Pro boxes, six Apple Watch Ultra 3 boxes, and a Rolex GMT-Master II. The Apple products were sealed and packaged to appear new, but investigators determined most had identical serial numbers and barcodes.
“This arrest demonstrates the value of proactive patrol work and officers taking the time to fully investigate what they encounter,” Southborough Police Chief Ryan Newell said. “Officer Samarxhi recognized a vehicle connected to an outside investigation and worked with the Newton Police Department to develop the full picture. His attentiveness led to an arrest and the recovery of suspected counterfeit merchandise.”
Ilie was charged with distributing a counterfeit mark and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Ilie was arraigned Monday, July 20, in Westborough District Court.
The Southborough Police Department said the incident remains under investigation.
