2 Arrested in Chase Bank ATM Thefts

Up to $50,000 suspected stolen at local bank branches

A rash of ATM thefts in Chicago has possible roots across the globe.

Two people, possibly from London or Romania, are in custody for the theft of up to $50,000 at local bank branches, police said. Negru Raul, 25, and Vasile Dobos, 23, are accused of attaching "skimmers" to ATMs and recording customers' names and card numbers when a debit card is swiped.

A hidden camera records the password as it's being typed into the keypad. Thieves then can use any card with a magnetic strip to duplicate the stolen information.

Authorities say Raul and Dobos may be part of an international crime cell based in Romania. The pair could be one of several groups looting local ATMs and taking maximum withdrawals from unsuspected customers' bank accounts.

Chase Bank noticed something suspicious at ATMs near Addison and Elston and called police.

So far 15 people in Chicago have been hit, and there may be more. Police are looking for more suspects.

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