Four suspects arrested by Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for ATM skimming

On Thursday the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department arrested four men for running an ATM skimming ring that could span four states. The department posted the following on their Facebook page:

NEWS RELEASE: FOUR ARRESTED IN ATM SKIMMING RING

On February 15th, 2019 Sacramento County Deputies were called to a Sacramento area bank regarding a skimming device that had been placed on the bank ATM. Deputies took custody of the skimming device and notified Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Detectives.

Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Detectives found similar devices were located on ATM’s inFolsom as well as in the Reno Nevada area. It was discovered the skimming devices had compromised the account information of approximately 40 individuals in the Sacramento area. The investigation revealed devices were placed at the ATMs by the same group of individuals. Detectives were able to identify the vehicle being used by the suspects. The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted and it was determined that the vehicle had been rented to another individual who was not from the area. Detectives developed probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for the person who rented the vehicle.

On March 14th, 2019 detectives received information that the suspect was possibly in the Sacramento area. Sacramento County Hi-Tech Crimes Detectives along with the Folsom Police Department conducted surveillance at locations where the suspect was known to frequent.

The suspect was observed in the downtown Sacramento area entering an apartment complex. When the suspect exited the apartment complex he was detained along with three other suspects. The suspect admitted to living in the apartment with three other individuals, who had also been detained. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the apartment and during a subsequent search, located approximately 20 ATM skimming devices, numerous recording devices designed and built to be concealed at ATMs, a large volume of re-encoded debit cards, manufacturing equipment needed to design and build more skimming devices, and several computers and equipment needed to re-encode debit/credit cards.

All four suspects were placed under arrest and booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Detectives are conducting follow-up investigation as information was located which shows the suspects had potentially been active in the United States from Arizona to Washington since December of 2018.