Nov 3, 2018 2 min read

A Romanian national arrested last month by local police for allegedly using a “card skimmer” to steal money from automated teller machines outside several Washington County banks was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury.

Elvis E. Roman, 33, of Romania, was indicted on charges of conspiracy and bank fraud. The indictment was announced Friday by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh. He was initially charged in criminal complaints filed in Washington County court.

The investigation began in late September by South Strabane Township police Detective Sgt. Ken Torboli after his department was notified of unauthorized transactions from Washington Financial bank branches. A skimming device was placed on automated teller machines at branches in South Strabane, Peters and North Franklin townships and Washington. More than 255 unauthorized transactions were made for a loss of about $49,000.

South Strabane police along with Peters police who were working with the U.S. Secret Service reviewed video surveillance at the banks. The surveillance showed two men using cloned bank cards to withdraw the money. The surveillance enabled police to identify one of the vehicles that was then stopped Oct. 6 on Washington Road by Peters police.

Roman, who was initially taken into custody as “John Doe,” had an identification card from Denmark identifying him as 31-year-old Emil Larsen. He later told Torboli he was in the country illegally, coming here from Canada.

Cecil police later learned of a similar theft from CFS Bank, 14 Southpointe Boulevard. Bank employees determined $16,000 was withdrawn from an ATM Oct. 6 during several transactions. Surveillance was used to identify Roman as the culprit.

Under federal law, Roman could face up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Roman remains in Washington County jail.