Two Arrested in Cunning ATM Theft
Source Monterey County Herald via Associated Press
Two Seaside, Calif., men were arrested on suspicion of breaking into an ATM machine early Wednesday.
Duane Metcalfe, 31, and Jeremy Christopher Davis, 31, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of burglary tools, the Monterey Police Department reported.
Metcalfe and Davis allegedly attempted to burglarize the Monterey Credit Union at 2600 Garden Road in Monterey around 2:30 a.m.
Police believe that both men may have been involved with burglarizing several machines and attempting to break into a few more.
Machines on Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Peninsula College and the Monterey Conference Center were among those that have been hit since May.
"We aren't going to rule out anything right now," said Monterey Lt. Phil Penko. "We have a strong belief that these are the two guys."
Police had been conducting surveillance at their homes in Seaside for some time now.
Penko said police had observed both men going to the credit union in separate cars early Wednesday. Two men dressed in dark clothes were seen near the machine and sounds of a circular saw were heard moments later.
Detectives estimated that the burglars allegedly accessed the rear of the building and then began crawling beneath the building until they reached the floor of the ATM.
"The burglars left a circular saw and chainsaw under the bank," Penko said.
Police said the men were most likely hoping to come back the next day to complete the job.
After the initial work was completed, Metcalfe and Davis allegedly left the scene separately. Police said Davis allegedly was found at his home while Metcalfe took off toward Seaside and was later found near General Jim Moore Boulevard.
Penko said there was some physical evidence left behind but not much video surveillance available to find identify the burglars.
Some cameras near the machines were disabled or discreetly moved so they wouldn't capture the images.
Penko said police will continue investigating all burglaries and attempted burglaries to find a common link.
Most of the ATM machines were hit around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. based on the alarms that went off, he said.
Both men were booked into Monterey County Jail. Metcalfe's bail was set at $53,500. Davis' bail was set at $74,500.
After they were taken to jail, a search warrant was served at Davis' house on Mendocino Street in Seaside which led to a roommate's drug charge.
Charlotte Anne Rorbye, 36, was arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic needles. She was taken to Monterey County Jail and her bail was set at $17,500.