LAPLACE — Police believe an illegal ATM skimming device was active at Louisiana Federal Credit Union’s Belle Terre branch in LaPlace from approximately 9:33 p.m. Dec. 1 to 7:06 p.m. Dec. 3.

That scam and countless similar ones across greater New Orleans, authorities say, were spearheaded by eight suspects with Romanian ties that bilked local victims of more than $100,000.

Diligent work among bank officials, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and Memphis police led to the location and arrests of the suspects.

Detective Michael Shard headed up the police efforts in St. John the Baptist Parish, and that work was recognized by the St. John Business Association, who celebrated Shard as Officer of the Month during a presentation at Petra Restaurant & Lounge.