CCTV operator spots cash machine theft suspect
A CCTV operator in St Albans helped police to locate a man suspected of stealing from cash machines.
The worker was monitoring the City Centre surveillance screens when he spotted the suspect at Barclays bank in the City Centre.
He recognised the individual as a person wanted over a number of cash machine thefts and alerted police. Officers went to the scene and arrested the suspect.
Police later searched a London property linked to him and recovered a large amount of stolen property.
Andrei Neacsu, 26, was charged with five counts of possessing a skimming device for use in fraud.
He appeared at Hatfield Remand Court last month and pleaded guilty to all the offences.
Neacsu was remanded in custody and is due to appear for sentence at St Albans Crown Court on Friday 12 January.
St Albans City and District Council has a CCTV system that covers the City Centre and other locations.
Operators support the police and alert them to any criminal activity they spot. The recorded footage can be used as evidence in court.
Among other CCTV successes this year was the arrest of a man suspected of stealing from a charity box in a St Albans church.
Four suspected shoplifters were arrested following separate incidents that were not noticed by the stores.
CCTV has also helped catch three men who had allegedly just committed a robbery, another man seen tampering with a cash machine and a drunk driver.
The CCTV system, provided by a contractor, has been in operation since 2001 to deter criminals and help solve crimes.
Beric Read, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business and the Community, said: “Once again one of our CCTV operators has come to the aid of the police. On this occasion, police have gone on to arrest a man wanted over cash machine thefts.
“It is another example of how valuable our CCTV system can be in combating crime.”
St Albans Chief Inspector Shane O’Neill of Hertfordshire Constabulary said: CCTV footage is an additional resource that can provide vital evidence for us when investigating and solving crime. The CCTV operators at St Albans City and District Council support us in our work to keep the City safe.”
Councillor contact:
Councillor Beric Read, Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Localism for St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 07956 220264, Email: Cllr.B.Read@stalbans.gov.uk
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727-296130, E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk