09/20/2026
𝗔𝗧𝗠 𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗦𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲
𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬)
𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧: 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:
• The U.S. Secret Service;
• The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office;
• The Madison Police Department;
• The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office;
• The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Florida;
• 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 “targeted ATM machines by installing and later removing electronic skimming devices designed to capture customers’ debit card information.”
The stolen account information was apparently then used to create fraudulent payment cards in the victims’ 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 Jersey’s bail reform law.
Padure, meanwhile, remained held tonight in Bergen County’s jail, charged with criminal use of a scanning device and conspiracy, among other counts.
Riedel said the “cooperation and information-sharing among [the various] agencies played an important role in furthering this investigation.”
It’s continuing, he added.
The chief also reminded citizens when using ATMs to:
• Whenever possible, use ATMs located inside or directly associated with a bank, particularly in well-lit and monitored areas;
• Consider using contactless or tap-to-use ATM features when available instead of inserting your card;
• Inspect the card reader before inserting your card. If anything appears loose, unusually bulky, damaged, or out of place, do not use the machine;
I• nspect the ATM keypad for overlays or attachments that appear different from the rest of the machine;
• Cover the keypad with your hand whenever entering your PIN. Hidden cameras may be used in conjunction with skimming devices;
• Enable transaction alerts through your financial institution so you are immediately notified of withdrawals or purchases;
• Regularly review your bank accounts and immediately report unauthorized transactions to your financial institution and local police department.
