WEST BEND, Wis.–A man has been arrested here after he allegedly returned to a credit union’s ATM to retrieve a skimmer.
The suspect, Florin Ardel, 30, was attempting to steal card information using a skimmer and camera, according to police. He was foiled in part by an alert employee of Educators Credit Union here, Fox6Now reported. The incident happened in August, but charges weren't filed until last week. A delay caused in part by Ardel’s alleged use of an alias.
The plot was uncovered by an employee who during a routine check of ATMs observed that something didn’t seem right, according to the report.
"When the clerk ran a card, like a test card, there was more resistance on the card than there should normally be," a police spokesperson told Fox6Now.
What Was Found
Inside, a technician found what he believed to be a card skimmer. West Bend police noticed something else that didn't belong: a rectangular strip was "disguised as an advertisement,” the report noted.
"Inside of that was a small peephole camera that was recording the keypad on the device," said Lt. Paul Pokorski the police department. Once discovered, the police opted to wait. "Figuring if they put the device in, they've got to come back at some point," Pokorski was quoted as saying.
Arrest Made
Ardel was arrested when he returned one day later to retrieve the skimmer and camera.
According to police, Ardel initially said his name was Istvan Bozsayni, and showed them a Hungarian ID. However, through fingerprint technology, authorities learned that was an alias, Fox6Now reported. Ardel has since been charged with improperly possessing a credit card scanning device; with identify theft - financial gain, and with obstructing an officer.
If found guilty on all charges, Ardel faces up to a decade in prison.