Shenandoah police arrest three for ATM theft

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas -- On March 13, 2018 at approximately 10:40 p.m., Sergeant C. Pullen observed two suspiciously parked vehicles in the 1400 block of Research Forest Drive at a local ATM in Shenandoah.

Sergeant Pullen made contact with three persons occupying the suspicious vehicles and questioned them. Sergeant Pullen interviewed the occupants and developed suspicion that the three individuals were using fraudulent identifying information and stolen credit card numbers to make illegal withdrawals from the ATM. Other SPD officers were called to the scene as backup.

Sergeant Pullen and Officer S. Upshaw were able to search both suspect vehicles. The officers discovered evidence and currency that confirmed the three suspects were engaged in an organized crime, as they were stealing money from the ATM through the usage of fraudulent credit cards and fraudulent identifying information. The suspects had made an unknown number of illegal transactions that has impacted persons and banks in and around Shenandoah.

Mihai Duduin, an 18-year-old Middle Eastern male, and Francesco Dunca, a 17-year-old Middle Eastern male, were arrested and charged with the felony of “Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.” A juvenile female was also involved and was arrested. Over $5000.00 in currency was seized by Shenandoah Police Officers to be turned over to the Montgomery County District Attorney. Numerous evidentiary items were also seized.

Chief Raymond Shaw stated, “This incident is one where we all are victims. The criminals committing this type of theft costs consumers, proprietors, and government entities millions of dollars per year. This type of arrest will help put an end to this group’s crime spree and our officers did an outstanding job.”

If you have information concerning this case or you were a victim of a crime in in Shenandoah, Texas, please contact the Shenandoah Police Department at 281-367-8952.