A man has admitted to stealing over £19,000 from ATMs across the UK, also causing £30,000 in damage.
He stole over £19,000 from cash machines and caused over £30,000 in damage. This happened at various locations across the UK.
He targeted a Shell station in East Bowling on Wakefield Road on August 9, 2023. He also stole from a BP station that day on Pudsey Road. He returned to the BP station on August 23.
Matei used a special tool that jammed the ATMs’ cash dispensers open. He and a partner then took money from inside.
The investigation started in West Yorkshire. Officers found Matei’s actions spread beyond. The crimes spanned the UK.
Police reviewed much CCTV footage, looking at locations across the UK. This included London, Nottinghamshire, Wiltshire and Berkshire. Matei was arrested September 1, 2023, in Nottinghamshire.
Matei, who lived in Manchester before, received a 27-month sentence at Leeds Crown Court. He will be deported after his release.
His crimes include ATMs at Huddersfield’s Shell Garage on August 9, 2023, and Mirfield’s Shell Garage. Another theft was at Castleford’s Shell Garage, happening August 11 and August 23. He also stole from Protovens Lane’s Spar in Wakefield on August 11. Several locations in Nottingham were targeted, including Abingdon’s BP Garage and Best One Supermarket, all committed on August 11.
Berkshire, Wiltshire and London were also affected. Matei stole from Newbury’s Shell Garage on August 12. Salisbury’s Texaco was hit August 14, along with Rontect in Bath, and Widcombe’s Co-op, also on August 14. Radstock’s Shell in Bristol was a location on August 15. He stole from Devizes’ Esso, and Pippin Service Station on August 15 in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He targeted North Weald’s Texaco in London on August 16.
Matei’s crimes spanned several days and locations. Stopsley’s Shell in Bedfordshire was targeted on August 21. He returned to Nottingham, stealing from Mansfield Road’s BO Garage on August 23.