Thief used cash trap devices to steal from ATMs across Essex and London

A prolific thief used cash trapping devices to steal tens of thousands of pounds from ATMs across Essex and London.

Artur Sutu targeted the cash machines over a six-month period, pocketing around £40,000 and causing damage totalling a further £60,000. 

Sutu, 39, operated under the cover of darkness to avoid being caught.

He would visit the cash machines late at night or during the early hours, and secretly fit a device designed to trap money inside the machine.

When unsuspecting customers later tried to withdraw cash, their money would become stuck.

Sutu would then return and used tools to force the machines open to retrieve money, often leading to significant damage.  

Sutu’s offending reached into areas including Brentwood, Rayleigh, Pitsea and Loughton.

He also travelled to locations bordering Essex, in London, and even stole from a Tesco cash machine in Lemington Spa, almost 100 miles from his home in Ilford.

Workshop used to make devices

An investigation was led by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and on 24 March 2026, officers executed a search warrant at his home in New North Road, Ilford.

Inside, officers uncovered clear evidence of the operation, including several ready-made cash-trap devices, tools used to break into machines and a workshop-style setup in the garage where further devices were being made.

Sutu was arrested and during police interview admitted everything. He told officers he had been making the devices at home and planned to commit further crimes.

He was charged with multiple offences carried out between 17 October 2025 and 18 March 2026.

Guilty pleas

At Basildon Crown Court Sutu pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and a further three counts of criminal damage. 

On 15 July (Wednesday), he was sentenced at the same court to three years’ imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Mike Simpson, of ERSOU’s Proactive Economic Crime Team, said:

“Sutu carried out a systematic and sustained campaign targeting cash machines, leaving members of the public out of pocket and unable to access their own money. He operated across a wide area, causing significant disruption and damage, all for personal gain. “Crimes like this don’t just affect banks and their customer - they impact communities, businesses and individuals who rely on these services every day. Anyone thinking of committing this type of offence should be in no doubt, we will identify you and you will be brought before the courts.”