Two arrested in Newton ATM thefts

Two arrested in Newton ATM thefts

Two arrested in Newton ATM thefts

NEWTON, Kan – Police in Newton have arrested two people for a recent series of thefts at ATMs, and the two are believed to be part of a high-tech interstate theft ring.

Officers stopped a car with a Texas license plate on October 27th, the day after thefts were reported at both of the Citizens State Bank branches in Newton. A total of $22,600 had been taken in six incidents.

Police said the two matched the description of suspects in a surveillance video, and they were booked into the Harvey County jail. They were identified as 44-year-old Alexandru Ion-Florin and 22-year-old Maria Bacelan. They are believed to be part of a large scale theft ring and they are believed to be from Romania. They are being held on a detainer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Police said cash and ATM cards were found in the suspects’ vehicle. In recent weeks, area police departments have received warnings from banks and other law enforcement agencies about ATM thefts in Colorado and western Kansas. The thieves were using special cards that allowed the ATMs to dispense money without the use of pin numbers.

Newton police are working with the U.S. Secret Service on the investigation.

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