Gang of Chilean Bank ATM Robbers Arrested

Gang of Chilean Bank ATM Robbers Arrested

TURLOCK- A gang of thieves, mostly from Chile, has been arrested after a multi month long heist of ATM robberies at banks and shopping centers in the Central Valley, Sacramento area, and Los Angeles as well as Washington, netting them millions of dollars.

We first became aware of the gang when they hit a shopping center in Modesto two months ago. Several members posed as customers and entered a pet grooming shop located next to a Wells Fargo branch with two outside ATM machines. While a couple was distracting the pet groomer, others were casing the joint, accessing the strength of the walls and spray painting the outside cameras. Later that night they returned to break into the pet shop, then break in through the walls to the ATMs and blow torch them ti take the money.

The FBI began investigating the gang in May 2024 after a failed attempt at an ATM in Merced, using the same M. O. As other heists in the Sacramento area where they hit multiple ATMs in multiple cities.

They were also identified disguising themselves in construction vests and medical masks to case the targets holding the ATMs and coordinate their plan of attack to break in. They were also using signal blockers.

That sophisticated operation also led back to a club promoter in Hollywood by the use of stolen vehicles the gang was using. The FBI then searching his phone and discovered he was using AirTags to track the cars. That led investigators to an Airbnb in Turlock where the group was staying.

In all 10 suspects were identified. So far nine people, mostly Chilean nationals, have been arrested and charged. Most of the suspects reportedly have prior criminal histories and other warrants out of their arrest.