On January 6, 2016, Pima County deputies responded to the Chase Bank, located at 2920 W. Valencia Road, for a report of two men installing skimming devices on an ATM. Deputies were provided with their descriptions and conducted surveillance at the bank.
A few hours after installing the devices the suspects returned to remove them. Deputies approached the suspects and when the men noticed deputies approaching they fled. Deputies chased the men and were able to apprehend them. Search warrants were served on a vehicle and storage unit.
The men are identified as 39-year-old Balerio Jesus Torres and 30-year-old Pedro Alejandro Ojeda-Moreno. Both men were charged with 29 counts of illegal use of a skimming device, 29 counts of identity theft and one count of aggravated identify theft, all felony charges. On February 2, 2016 Chase Security advised of more possible ATM skimming activity within Tucson city limits. Three individuals were arrested by the Tucson Police Department in that case.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department Fraud Unit is working closely with the United States Secret Service to safeguard against
these criminal activities.
Look for the following red flags when using ATMs:
- If any part of the ATM appears askew or loose, don’t use it and report it to the bank.
- If the ATM is not functioning normally in any way, cease use, report it to the bank.
- If anyone appears suspicious near or is hanging out around the ATM, don’t use it and report it to the bank or local law enforcement