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Multiple Arrests Made In Santander Bank ATM Thefts Across NY/NJ/CT

UPDATED: Dozens of people were arrested after using prepaid debit cards to steal from ATMs in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut because of a system glitch on Tuesday, authorities said.

Santander Bank, Boonton

Santander Bank, Boonton

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Police in Bergen, Mercer, Middlesex, Essex, Hudson, Morris and Union counties were on the lookout for suspects in Santander Bank ATM thefts using prepaid debit cards.

ALSO SEE: Seven police departments in Monmouth County help round up 31 suspects. 

“We are cooperating with law enforcement as they actively investigate this situation," a Santander Bank spokesperson said.  

FBI agents and detectives from several county prosecutors' offices also were involved in Tuesday's widespread busts.

Sayreville and Woodbridge police reported that several Santander Bank ATMs had been targeted in Middlesex County.

Authorities in Boonton, Cliffside Park, Hopewell Township, Hoboken, Millburn, Newark, Springfield, Bloomfield, Montville, Randolph, Pequannock also reported attempts at stealing from bank ATMs.

One armed suspect's vehicle was stopped in Randolph (Morris County) and at least 13 people were detained in Robbinsville, according to initial, unconfirmed reports and a law enforcement source in Mercer County.

ALSO SEE: Mercer County Prosecutor's Office identifies 58 credit card theft suspects, 14 from NJ.

The county source and a spokesman for the New Jersey State Police referred questions to the FBI. The federal agency had no immediate comment.

There was a separate unconfirmed report on Tuesday afternoon of multiple persons under arrest by the Interstate- 195 overpass at Hamilton Square Road in Hamilton Township, as well as a related police chase from Mercer County into Monmouth County.

Many of Tuesday's suspects in custody were from New York City and its suburbs. 

Santander branches in NYC had more than 600 similar illegal ATM transactions on Monday, police reported.

Santander Bank temporarily closed many ATMs and several bank branches in the tri-state region. 

Since 2015, the bank has opened nearly 600 branches in the Northeast and more than 2,000 ATMs -- about half of them at CVS Pharmacies.

This is a developing news story.

ALSO SEE:  Santander Bank ATM arrests also made in Bergen County.

AND SEE: Updated details on Cliffside Park suspects.

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