Twelve arrests in suspected ATM ‘distraction thefts’

GARDAÍ in Dublin believe they may have cracked a gang of Romanian criminals who have targeted people queuing at ATM machines outside banks over the past few months.

Twelve people were arrested in a series of dawn raids on houses in Tallaght and the North Circular Road areas of the city yesterday morning.

They are suspected of being involved in “distraction” thefts, whereby unsuspecting members of the public are distracted by a trick that sees them robbed during the resulting confusion.

The gang is believed to have amassed tens of thousands of euro in stolen property by robbing their victims at ATMs, as well as in pubs and clubs.

All nine men and three women arrested are Romanians, ranging in age from 16 to their mid-40s, following raids on six different properties at about 5.30am yesterday morning.

They were held for questioning yesterday at four different Garda stations in the inner city area under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

More than e30,000 worth of property was seized during the searches including cash, mobile phones, cameras and clothing. The raids were carried out by city-based gardaí supported by officers from the Garda National Immigration Bureau and interpreters. Gardaí were also assisted by a liaison officer of the Romanian police who is based in Dublin.

The arrests were made as part of Operation Hawkeye — the codename for a Garda investigation established by detectives from Store Street and Pearse Street stations to tackle organised criminals who have carried out a variety of crimes in the city centre over recent months.

Gardaí have received about 70 complaints of such incidents in the capital, according to Garda sources.

CCTV footage has provided valuable information in identifying several members of the gang as repeat offenders, many of them juveniles who are unaware their image is being caught on camera.

It is understood that gardaí have brought charges in all but two of 30 official reports compiled on separate cases of “distraction” theft.

A Garda spokesperson warned the public to be on the alert for gangs who engage in such crime.

“People should be particularly vigilant regarding their property when in public areas, particularly when using ATM machines or socialising in pubs, clubs and coffee shops,” said the Garda spokesperson.

Another Garda officer explained the preferred modus operandi of such gangs when targeting people at ATM machines.

“A minimum of two people will approach you after you have put your bank card and your PIN number in to the machine. One person will distract you and put a paper in front of your face, while the other presses the button for money and grabs it.”

Most such crimes are believed to net the criminals about e200 per transaction.