Two people have been arrested for financial crimes after placing skimming devices on several ATMs.
On March 7, 2024, Financial Crimes detectives were contacted by the University of Kentucky Police Department about a suspected vehicle involved in fraudulent ATM transactions. Utilizing Flock license plate readers, detectives were able to locate the vehicle at the Kroger on Euclid Avenue. Two suspects were detained and placed under arrest after they were observed trying to manipulate the ATM.
Vitus Kraus, 27, was arrested and charged with 27 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Possession of a Forgery Device, Trafficking in Financial Information, and False Making or Embossing of a Credit Card.
Florin-Dan Balin, 45, was arrested and charged with 31 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Possession of a Forgery Device, Trafficking in Financial Information, and False Making or Embossing of a Credit Card.
With the help of Kroger Loss Prevention and Flock license plate readers, detectives were able to connect Kraus and Balin to skimming devices located at four additional Kroger locations in Lexington. The additional ATMs were located at Kroger locations on Hartland Parkway, Richmond Road, Tates Creek Road, and Leestown Road.
At this time, the extent of the financial data compromised is not known. Detectives ask anyone who may have used these ATMs to check their accounts and report suspicious activity.
Both are currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center and were booked under the names they provided. The suspects' identities are still under investigation.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about this case to call Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips app at www.p3tips.com.
