Madison Police Department officers arrested Arsen Piloyan, 46, of Van Nuys, Calif., and
The two suspects were arrested Friday on charges of identity theft in a local hotel, according to an MPD incident report.
While searching the men’s room and rented van, MPD officers found soldering equipment, wires and other tools consistent with what criminals would need to place skimmers on pumps, a key ring with keys consistent with those used to open gas pumps, numerous prepaid Visa cards that detectives believe may have been loaded with money stolen from victims' accounts and receipts from hotels in other jurisdictions.
“During a recent
MPD detectives also said they believe Piloyan and
As of Friday, 11 skimmers had been found in the Madison area, with the most recent being found Thursday at a BP on Commercial Avenue. MPD has turned over all the skimmers to the FBI for further investigation, according to the report. One skimmer was found at a gas station just off campus on University Avenue.
The discovery of so many skimmers prompted the Madison Common Council to pass a new ordinance requiring
“It is not known to what extent the arrested suspects are connected to local cases and it is quite probable others are involved in skimmer fraud,” DeSpain wrote. “The MPD urges citizens to continue to be vigilant.”