Columbus police have arrested a suspect they believe is tied to a rash of fraudulent withdrawals from local residents’ bank accounts.
Columbus police officers went to an ATM machine in the 3500 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike, a short distance west of Interstate 65 on the west side of Columbus, where a witness reported seeing a man for several minutes.
When officers arrived at 7 a.m. Wednesday, the man — identified as Claudiu C. Mihai, 23, of Yonkers, New York — fled on foot, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
The officers pursued Mihai, who was caught a short time later.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Police recovered more than $1,100 in currency from Mihai, as well as several gift cards that appeared to have been reprogrammed into debit cards utilizing the victims’ bank account information, Harris said.
Columbus police received numerous complaints in recent days from residents that fraudulent withdrawals were made from their bank accounts. The victims told police they had their debit or credit cards compromised over the Memorial Day weekend and suspected that a card-skimming device was used to access information or replicate their cards.
Detectives are urging residents to check their bank accounts for fraudulent activity. Persons suspecting fraudulent charges and withdrawals should contact their financial institution immediately.
Mihai was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail, where he was being held on a preliminary charge of resisting law enforcement as the investigation into the card withdrawals continued, Harris said.
The suspect was incarcerated on a 48-hour hold and additional charges are expected, he said. Jail officials said Mihai is being held with no bond at the jail.
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department is assisting in the investigation.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Getting help” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Columbus Police Department detectives are asking residents to check their bank accounts for fraudulent activity. Those who suspect fraudulent charges or withdrawals made to their account should contact their financial institution immediately.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
