Additional federal charges filed in Brookings ATM thefts

Two Florida men accused of using fake credit and debit cards in South Dakota now face 18 federal charges. Those charges include bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. They were taking money from ATM’s in Brookings and elsewhere using stolen information.

In June, Brookings police detectives working with other law enforcement in South Dakota, Minnesota and Florida were able to identify and issue warrants for two suspects. A few days later, 33-year-old George Enescu and 26-year-old Teodor Bobe, were arrested in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

It’s believed Enescu is the man in the ATM security footage released by authorities.

The men originally faced nine counts in federal court, but several new charges were filed this week. The new federal indictment alleges theft from the accounts of eight victims.

According to court papers, authorities have confiscated more than $20,000 in connection with the case. They found the money in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

The indictment says authorities will seek to have that money and other property forfeited in order to cover the thefts.