Suspects were from Italy and Romania
36-year-old Gianluca Galota of Italy and 35-year-old Alin Uricaru of Romania were charged with multiple crimes including identity theft, computer crime and credit card crimes using a scanning device. The two were in the United States on a Visa Waiver Program. Medford Township police stated that they received information April 9 from the Beneficial Bank Fraud Division that a skimming device was installed on the ATM at the bank’s Medford branch located on Stokes Road. Beneficial Bank believes this was the second device installed on their machine, the first being installed April 1 and removed April 3.
During an April 10 surveillance operation at approximately 5:20 a.m., Medford Township Police observed a subject approach the ATM and removed portions of the unauthorized device from the machine. The subject identified as Galota, who was subsequently arrested without incident. During the investigation, Medford Police located an awaiting vehicle occupied by a second person which was Uricaru. Both were charged with numerous crimes and lodged in the Burlington County Jail pending a hearing in Superior Court. Medford Detectives are currently working with Beneficial Bank Fraud Investigators, United States Secret Service, and other law enforcement agencies as this investigation continues to develop. Customers who currently have Beneficial Bank accounts and anyone that has used the ATM located at the Beneficial Bank on Stokes Road are asked to review their account and consult with their financial institution if they have discovered any suspicious activity and report any financial loss or potential identity theft exposure to the Medford Township Police at 91 Union Street.
