THREE men have been charged with a series of distraction thefts at cash machines, including in the Warrington area, totalling approximately £37,000.
The following three men were arrested on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 and have since been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to steal:
• Vasile Ciubotaru, 45, of Blafour Road, Ilford
• Ramonel Mandache, 51, of Henniker Gardens, East Ham, London
• Ionut Matei, 40, of no fixed abode
They appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 20 August 2026. They will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
The charges relate to reports of 10 distraction thefts at cash machines between 9 October 2024 and 17 July 2026 across the following areas:
• Widnes, Cheshire
• Warrington, Cheshire
• Bury, Manchester
• Arnold, Nottinghamshire
• Beeston, Nottinghamshire
• Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
• Mexborough, Doncaster
