Officials search for ATM skimming crooks

SUNNY ISLES BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for a pair of crooks who, they said, are placing skimming devices on ATM machines around South Florida.

Sunny Isles Beach Police have released surveillance video of a woman wearing a pink hat going up to an ATM and placing a skimmer on it, which also has a camera inside of it. Police said she is installing the device to capture customers' credit card information from the magnetic strip on the card.

A male, who police believe is working with the woman, is seen going to the same ATM soon after. "An ATM user had noticed that when they slid their card in the ATM, the slot was a little loose," said Sunny Isles Beach Police Detective Luck Plesa, "reported it to the manager who came out, and I guess was familiar with skimming devices and summoned the police."

Detective Plesa was watching 7News earlier this week when he saw another case about a skimming device at an ATM machine in Sea Ranch Lakes that took place on Sept. 3. The detective noticed he was also looking for the same suspect.

Sea Ranch Lakes surveillance video captured a male as he was putting on the skimmer on the ATM. Plesa said he recognized the suspect as the same man in the Sunny Isles Beach video. "The subject looked to be our subject in this case, so I called the detective and I sent him pictures of the subject, and he agreed that they were very similar," said Plesa.

On Aug. 10 in Sunny Isles Beach, the ATM skimming device fell off but customers were already scammed. "However many people use that ATM a day it's gonna capture that information," said Plesa.

If you have any information on these crooks, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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