Skimming device on Blythewood ATM

Ionita, 17, is suspected of placing the device on the bank’s ATM.

BLYTHEWOOD – When Blythewood resident Brandy Dunaway visited a Blythewood drive-thru ATM last Saturday, the card reader on the machine looked different. Dunaway, who was a victim of a skimming device at the same ATM a year earlier, was skeptical.

The device was darker in color than the normal card reader and protruding from the ATM. When she tried to move it, it was loose.

Dunaway called the Richland County Sheriff’s office, and, sure enough, it an object that steals credit card information had been placed over the ATM’s card reader.

The suspect was captured on the ATM’s surveillance camera. Suraj Ionita, 17, was identified by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office as the alleged suspect in Dunaway’s case.

Anyone who has information concerning the case or Ionita is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Contact us: (803) 767-5711 | P.O. Box 675, Blythewood, SC 29016 | [email protected]