Massachusetts man accused of sophisticated area ATM skimming operation, granted bail

Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of Police, announces the arrest of Ivan Gomez Liriano, a 33-year-old male from West Springfield, MA, in connection with a sophisticated ATM skimming operation targeting area credit unions. Winquist stated that this arrest highlights a significant breakthrough in the fight against digital financial crimes in the area. 

Gomez Liriano has been charged with multiple counts of felony crimes, including computer access fraud, intentional access and alteration of computer data, and conspiracy to commit these felonies. The incidents occurred at various locations, including two local credit union branches in the City of Cranston, where the suspect allegedly installed skimming devices to capture unsuspecting victims’ credit and debit card information. 

The successful resolution of this case resulted from diligent investigative work by Cranston Police Detectives, led by Detective Sergeant Jeff Chapman, in close collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies. The operation spanned several weeks, beginning with the first reports of suspicious ATM activities on March 6, 2024, and culminating in Gomez Liriano’s eventual arrest in Springfield, MA, on March 29, 2024. He was extradited to the City of Cranston on April 16, 2024.

According to Winquist, a vital tool in identifying Gomez Liriano was the FLOCK license plate recognition system, which provided critical data regarding the alleged suspect vehicle used and the suspect’s movements. The system identified the suspect’s car at various locations close to the crime scenes, providing essential leads that helped piece together the suspect’s movements and ultimately facilitated his capture in Massachusetts. 

Colonel Winquist commended the hard work and persistence of his team. “This arrest is a testament to the value of our FLOCK automated license plate reader technology coupled with the relentless efforts of our Detectives, who worked tirelessly to end this criminal operation,” said Colonel Winquist. “We are also immensely grateful for the assistance provided by our federal law enforcement partners, including the United States Secret Service, whose support was crucial in navigating this complex case.” 

Judge Houlihan set bail at $5,000 surety for Gomez Liriano. His next court date will be in July.