09/20/2026
๐๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก: ๐ฅ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ป ๐ ๐๐น๐๐ถ-๐๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ
๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐จ (๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ)
๐ฌ๐ข๐จ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง: Saddle River detectives have charged two Romanian nationals who Police Chief Edward J. Riedel said participated in a debit card skimming operation targeting ATM machines throughout North Jersey.
Eugene Padure and Iulian Brinzan were seized early yesterday (Thurs., Sept. 17th), Riedel told Independent Online News, following a months-long investigation that was assisted by, among others:
โข The U.S. Secret Service;
โข The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office;
โข The Madison Police Department;
โข The Morris County Prosecutorโs Office;
โข The Charlotte County Sheriffโs Office, Florida;
โข The NYPD.
Saddle River Police Detective Sgt. Michael Cooper led the probe assisted by Detective Brian Mills, the chief said.
Participating in the arrest were Capt. Paul Passaretti, Sgt. Jeff Wells and Sgts. Ryan Holdsworth and John Latka, Riedel said.
Padure and Iulian Brinzan are part of a crew, he said, that โtargeted ATM machines by installing and later removing electronic skimming devices designed to capture customersโ debit card information.โ
The stolen account information was apparently then used to create fraudulent payment cards in the victimsโ names, the chief said.
The investigation took off after a skimming device was discovered on a local ATM, he said.
Warranted searches that followed the arrests produced additional evidence that includes card-making equipment and more skimming devices, Riedel said.
Brinzan was charged with theft and criminal use of a scanning device before being released pending court action under New Jerseyโs bail reform law.
Padure, meanwhile, remained held tonight in Bergen Countyโs jail, charged with criminal use of a scanning device and conspiracy, among other counts.
Riedel said the โcooperation and information-sharing among [the various] agencies played an important role in furthering this investigation.โ
Itโs continuing, he added.
The chief also reminded citizens when using ATMs to:
โข Whenever possible, use ATMs located inside or directly associated with a bank, particularly in well-lit and monitored areas;
โข Consider using contactless or tap-to-use ATM features when available instead of inserting your card;
โข Inspect the card reader before inserting your card. If anything appears loose, unusually bulky, damaged, or out of place, do not use the machine;
Iโข nspect the ATM keypad for overlays or attachments that appear different from the rest of the machine;
โข Cover the keypad with your hand whenever entering your PIN. Hidden cameras may be used in conjunction with skimming devices;
โข Enable transaction alerts through your financial institution so you are immediately notified of withdrawals or purchases;
โข Regularly review your bank accounts and immediately report unauthorized transactions to your financial institution and local police department.
