Key Points

• West Yorkshire Police are searching for Robert Tanase, 27, in connection with three criminal damage incidents at gaming machines in Leeds and Dewsbury.
• The damage is estimated to be in the tens of thousands of pounds.
• Tanase is described as having a distinctive red tattoo on his neck and his last known address was in the Harehills area of Leeds.
• His current whereabouts are unknown and officers are appealing to the public for information.
• Anyone with information is asked to contact police via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, call 101 quoting crime reference 13250606788, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) July 20, 2026 – Robert Tanase has been named by West Yorkshire Police as the man they are seeking in connection with a series of high-value criminal damage incidents targeting gaming machines. The development was confirmed on Monday, July 20, 2026, after officers issued a public appeal for information to help locate and arrest the 27-year-old.

What happened in the Leeds and Dewsbury gaming machine incidents?

As reported by Dennis Morton of the Yorkshire Evening Post, police in West Yorkshire are searching for a man wanted in connection with a series of high-value criminal damage incidents at gaming centres and betting shops.

Robert Tanase, 27, is wanted in connection with three separate incidents of criminal damage to gaming machines in Leeds and Dewsbury. Tanase is believed to have caused tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of damage across the three locations, according to the police appeal.

The incidents involved damage to gaming machines, which are commonly found in betting shops, arcades and other licensed gaming venues across the region.

The scale of the damage, estimated in the tens of thousands of pounds, has prompted a significant police response and a public appeal to trace the suspect.

Who is Robert Tanase and what does he look like?

As outlined in the police appeal published on the West Yorkshire Police website, Tanase is described as having a distinctive red tattoo on his neck.

His last known address was in the Harehills area of Leeds, although officers have confirmed that his current whereabouts are unknown.

The distinctive neck tattoo is being highlighted as a key identifying feature for members of the public who may have seen or interacted with Tanase.

Police have not released further physical descriptors beyond the tattoo and the last known address in Harehills.

What are police asking the public to do?

As reported by Dennis Morton of the Yorkshire Evening Post, officers have appealed to the public for information to help locate and arrest Tanase.

Anyone with information that could help officers locate and arrest Tanase is asked to contact police in Kirklees via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat or by calling 101, quoting crime reference 13250606788.

Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

The use of both direct police contact routes and the independent Crimestoppers line is intended to maximise the chances of receiving useful information while also offering an anonymous option for those who may prefer it.

Where did the gaming machine damage take place?

The three criminal damage incidents are understood to have taken place at gaming venues in Leeds and Dewsbury, according to the police appeal.

The appeal does not specify the exact addresses of the affected venues, but confirms that the incidents occurred across both towns, indicating a pattern of offending that spans multiple locations in West Yorkshire.

The choice of gaming machines as targets suggests a deliberate focus on equipment that is both valuable and central to the business operations of betting shops and arcades.

Why are gaming machines being targeted in West Yorkshire?

The police appeal does not set out a motive for the damage to the gaming machines, and no suspect has yet been arrested or charged in connection with the incidents.

Gaming machines are among the most expensive items of equipment in betting shops and arcades, and damage to them can result in significant repair or replacement costs as well as lost revenue while machines are out of service.

The estimated tens of thousands of pounds in damage underlines the financial impact of the incidents on the businesses affected, as well as the potential disruption to customers who use the venues.

How can people report information about Robert Tanase?

As reported by Dennis Morton of the Yorkshire Evening Post, police have provided several contact options for anyone who recognises Tanase or has information about his whereabouts.

The primary contact route is via the West Yorkshire Police live chat at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, or by calling 101 and quoting crime reference 13250606788.

For those who prefer to remain anonymous, information can be passed to Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

The crime reference number 13250606788 should be quoted in any communication to ensure the information is linked to the correct investigation.

Background: What is the context of gaming machine crime in Leeds?

Criminal damage to gaming machines is not an isolated phenomenon in West Yorkshire, with previous incidents in the region involving similar targets and significant financial losses.

In a separate case in Horsforth, Leeds, a ram raid at a vape shop led to an estimated loss of £10,000 in stock, prompting a police appeal for identification of a suspect.

That incident, which took place in late 2024, resulted in charges against one individual and an ongoing appeal for a second suspect.

The latest appeal over gaming machine damage in Leeds and Dewsbury follows a pattern of targeted criminal damage to business equipment in the region, with the financial impact on small and medium-sized enterprises a recurring concern for police and local authorities.

West Yorkshire Police regularly publish wanted appeals for individuals linked to property damage, theft and other crimes affecting businesses and community venues, using online platforms and partnerships with charities such as Crimestoppers to widen the reach of their messages.

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Prediction: How could this development affect gaming businesses and the public in Leeds?

If Robert Tanase is traced and charged in connection with the gaming machine damage, the outcome could have several implications for the local gaming sector and the wider public in Leeds and Dewsbury.

For gaming businesses, a successful arrest and prosecution could act as a deterrent to similar offences, potentially reducing the risk of further high-value damage to machines and premises.

It may also encourage venues to review their own security measures, such as CCTV coverage and access controls, in light of the scale of the damage reported.

For the public, the police appeal reinforces the role of community information in solving crime, particularly where suspects are described with distinctive features such as Tanase’s red neck tattoo. Increased public awareness of the appeal could lead to quicker identification of wanted individuals, shortening the time between offence and arrest.

However, if the suspect remains at large, there is a risk of further incidents in the region, with potential knock-on effects for the viability of smaller gaming venues that may struggle to absorb repeated repair or replacement costs. This could in turn affect local employment and the availability of leisure options in some neighbourhoods.

The case also highlights the broader challenge of protecting business assets from targeted criminal damage, a theme that has appeared in other recent West Yorkshire investigations, including the Horsforth ram raid and other property offences.

Over time, patterns in such offending may inform police resource allocation and crime prevention strategies across the region.