Seattle Police arrest leader of $1M ATM, safe robbery ring
Feb 25, 2025, 1:09 PM | Updated: 1:10 pm
A photo of an SPD vehicle responding to a crime scene. (Photo courtesy of SPD)
(Photo courtesy of SPD)
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) made a major arrest related to a robbery ring where suspects used stolen vehicles and equipment to steal approximately $1 million from ATMs and safes.
SPD, alongside the King County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Kent Police Department and the Department of Corrections, arrested the alleged leader of this operation earlier this month.
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Background of investigation into robbery ring
Starting in October 2024, an SPD detective was investigating a string of burglaries in which large safes and ATM machines were being stolen and torn apart. There were allegedly four members in the crew, according to SPD-obtained security footage. The crew appeared to have planned each of these crimes, often stealing and utilizing multiple stolen vehicles and construction equipment. The vehicles were stolen multiple days prior to the burglary in most cases.
The stolen vehicles were used in turn to transport or carry the stolen ATMs. The crew then used “Jaws of Life” tools and other fire extrication-type equipment similar to what local fire departments use. With these tools, ATMS and safes were opened, the contents removed and then were discarded.
In addition to the approximate $1 million the crew stole, they also caused around $500,000 in property damage.
The suspect was booked into King County Jail for three counts of first-degree theft and three counts of malicious mischief.
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