ATM Debit CARD Skimming Arrest

Case 17-038195

On September 19, 2017, Abington Police were made aware that between August 11 and August 26, 2017, on eight separate days, a skimming device was placed on the ATM at the Citizen’s Bank, 1359 Old York Rd. The device would duplicate the account information from the card’s magnetic strip, and a small camera would capture the PIN input. During this time, 182 customers had their debit card information compromised. Detectives launched an investigation, which revealed that the same suspects installed similar devices on ATMs at Beneficial Bank, 1601 The Fairway, in the Jenkintown section of Abington, and at Citizen’s Bank, 1919 Easton Rd., in the Willow Grove section of Abington, and ATMs in Upper Moreland Township, Springfield Township, and Cheltenham Township. As a result of the investigation, a connection was made to similar crimes being investigated by the New York City Police Department.

On October 4, 2017, Detectives from Abington Police Department and Upper Moreland Police Department traveled to New York City, and assisted NYPD Detectives execute search warrants at two apartments in Queens. The detectives recovered approximately $16,000 cash, several hundred VISA and other store gift cards, and equipment & supplies used to manufacture their own skimming devices. Two suspects were arrested and are currently in custody in New York. A Montgomery county warrant was filed, charging both suspects with 761 counts of Access Device Fraud, and 184 counts of Identity Theft.

Suspect #1- Bogdan Gheorghe Stoica, DOB 06/20/1981, of 45th St. Queens, NY Suspect #2- Janos Mihalka, DOB 01/07/1981, also of 45th St. Queens, NY

Below is actual photos of the suspects withdrawing money and installing the skimmer at area ATMs:

CRIMINAL CHARGES, AND ANY DISCUSSION THEREOF, ARE MERELY ALLEGATIONS AND ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY.

Approved for Release by: Lt. Steven Fink