Suspects Accused of Planting Skimming Devices at Lexington Kroger Stores
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two individuals have been accused of planting skimming devices at multiple ATMs across Lexington. Lexington police have identified the suspects as 27-year-old Vitus Kraus and 45-year-old Florin-Dan Balin.
Police Tip-off and Arrest
The police were tipped off by the UK Police Department about a suspicious vehicle linked to fraudulent ATM transactions. Flock cameras within the city were utilized to locate the said vehicle at the Kroger store on Euclid Avenue. Kraus and Balin were subsequently arrested when they were reportedly observed attempting to manipulate an ATM.
Authorities Connect Pair to Additional Crimes
Further investigations have allowed authorities to link the pair to skimming devices found at four other Kroger stores in the city. The additional locations include stores on Hartland Parkway, Richmond Road, Tates Creek Road, and Leestown Road.
In response to the incidents, Kroger released a statement expressing disappointment over the increased levels of crime across retail establishments and its impact on employees and customers. The statement further highlighted the company’s commitment to addressing the issue in partnership with local law enforcement, citing safety as a key priority.
Public Reaction
Terry Erwin, a regular shopper at one of the affected locations, mentioned this trend of crime was alarming. He expressed surprise that thieves would risk attempting such acts inside a store, given the presence of visible surveillance cameras. His surprise is shared by many other local shoppers.
The local community’s sense of security has been disrupted, with many expressing fear over their financial security. Leonard Vaughn, another regular customer, highlighted how easily individuals can fall prey to scams like this, which can result in more than just financial loss. He stressed the importance of vigilance and careful tracking of personal spending to avoid becoming victims.
The Way Forward
Kraus and Balin are facing numerous charges including criminal possession of a forged instrument, possession of a forgery device, trafficking in financial information, false making or embossing a credit card.
As yet, it is not clear how much financial data has been compromised, but police are urging anyone who may have used ATMs at these locations to check their account activity and report anything suspicious. Anyone with information pertaining to this case is encouraged to contact Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers at (859) 253-2020, through the P3 Tips app, or online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com.
