News

Australian police make ATM crime ring arrests

March 14, 2004

SYDNEY - The NSW Police believe they have uncovered a syndicate, responsible for stealing $800,000 (U.S. $584,650) from ATMs in Sydney over the past 12 months.

Five males were arrested on March 14, as they were allegedly breaking open an ATM at the University of Western Sydney in Richmond, according to an iTnewsreport.

Police have charged an 18-year-old and a 45-year-old from Minchinbury and a 41-year-old Byrock man with 11 aggravated break and enter offenses. The first two men were refused bail, and were scheduled to appear in the Parramatta Local Court on March 15. The third was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in the Windsor Local Court on April 1.

Two 17-year-old males have also been charged with aggravated break and enter, and are due to appear in the Windsor Children's Court on April 1.

Superintendent John Kerlatec, from the Property Crime Squad, said it had been a difficult investigation, because the group had gone to great lengths to avoid police detection, according to the iTnews report.