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DIICOT police and prosecutors managed to catch four ATM thieves even as they prepared to detonate an ATM in Vrancea County. It took investigators just a month to locate them. The 4 used artifacts with gunpowder extracted from hunting bullets and would also be responsible for blows in various European countries.
According to investigators, the group was formed in Galati and specialized in robberies of ATMs by setting them off with explosive materials or substances.
Initially, the 4 tried to blow up an ATM in Liești, where after removing the video surveillance system, they forced the slot to release the ATM banknotes into which they inserted explosive materials. The operation failed, so they left without money. It happened on September 11 of this year.
Photos: DIICOT
After a few days, they tried again, this time in Tulucești, also in Galați county. This time, the detonation was successful and the 4 left with the money from the ATM that they had just restocked so that people could collect their pensions. They stole around 120,000 lei, according to DIICOT.
The group moved to Vrancea County. Earlier this month, the 4 tried to blow up an ATM in Păunești, but only managed to damage the ATM, without reaching the money.
Last night they tried to deliver the next hit, but were caught red-handed by Special Operations police and DIICOT prosecutors after inserting explosive materials into an ATM slot in Vulturu.
During the intervention, the policemen fired rubber bullets to stop the robbers who were trying to escape with a car, being blocked at the crime scene.
After the flagrant, today 12 searches were made of the members of the network and their accomplices. At DIICOT – Galati Territorial Service headquarters, 12 people will be questioned.
The Secretary of State of the Ministry of the Interior, Bogdan Despescu, specified that two of the gang members are being investigated for other acts and that they allegedly gave similar blows, with blown up ATMs, also in other European countries. Police are working with investigators in these countries, he added.
DIICOT spokeswoman Mihaela Porime said the evidence for the arrest of the four was done in just one month.
Editing: Monica Bonea
