On August 2nd it was reported to police that the Cash ATM at Trory Filling Station had been broken into during the night, and £61,340 had been stolen. 

Radu Iancu (41) with an address in Rannoche Close, Crossgar, County Down appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court via video-link from Maghaberry charged with burglary (non-dwelling) and possessing criminal property.

The ATM was mounted on an outdoor wall of the shop and Bank of Ireland £10 and £20 notes were stolen from the cash machine in burglary that allegedly involved five or six people.

The court heard that five street lights, satellite dishes and electronic advertising in the area were all turned off while phone and broadband wires were also cut to ensure no security systems activated. 

The court heard an angle grinder was used to cut a hole in the door of the ATM facility enabling  access to the bank bunker storing the money.

Based on CCTV footage, the masked gang then allegedly retreated to a nearby field to check for any alarms before returning to steal the cash.

A black Mercedes car believed to be linked to the break-in was later found at the address where Iancu lives, and searches of the property led to the recovery of around £25,000.

The court heard that some of the money was located in sophisticated hides, including one plastered over and another behind skirting boards while tools, walkie-talkie radios, and gloves were seized.

 A Total of 22 ten pound Bank of Ireland similar to those stolen were allegedly found on the accused at the house.

While objecting bail, the police officer said they believe the defendant is part of an ‘organised crime gang responsible for 35 incidents with a similar modus operandi’ and added that with £35,000 taken from the cash machine still missing, it was claimed that it could be used to help Iancu abscond if released from custody.

The court also heard that the defendant also has experience in forging identification documents. 

District Judge Michael Ranaghan objected the bail application due to the defendant’s risk of absconding, the defendant’s experience in forging of documents and his alleged involvement in a criminal gang.

Radu Ianc was remanded in custody and will be back in court on Monday November 12th.