Robbery Stopped: The international team that robbed a bank in California was caught

FRESNO, Calif. — A group of international outlaws hit Valley ATMs and other cash machines around the state to steal millions of dollars.

Wearing construction vests and medical masks, the group allegedly surveilled buildings housing ATMs to coordinate attack plans.

The FBI began investigating the group in May after a sting at an ATM in Merced that matched similar cases in the Sacramento area.

Costumes and tactics, including spray-painted security cameras, signal jammers and flashlights, caught the attention of investigators.

The FBI alleges the group took a divide-and-conquer approach to gain access to an ATM at a business in Modesto.

A few members of the group walked into the Pet Spa next door.

While some employees were distracted, others tested the material of the wall.

Outside, members wearing construction vests use spray-painted security cameras.

Hours later, the gang returned by cutting through the wall of the Pet Spa to get to the ATM, then broke into the cash machine with a flashlight.

Similar tactics were used in the Fresno area.

Five locations were targeted in Fresno and Clovis between May and September.

The group was successful in all three locations.

They made nearly $100,000 at their two Fresno locations. At least $300,000 in Clovis.

While the FBI investigated, three cars continued to show up in surveillance video from the targeted ATMs.

At least one car was stolen and was part of an underground rental car operation.

This operation was tied to a club promoter in Hollywood.

After searching his phone, the FBI discovered there was an AirTag in the car and traced it to a Turlock Airbnb.

Through AirTag, Airbnb reviews, and social media posts, the FBI was able to track the group’s movements up and down the West Coast.

At one point they even used a money app to identify one of the suspects.

They were eventually able to create a list of 10 suspects.

Only nine people, most of whom were said to be Chilean citizens, were identified as responsible for various parts of the operation.

Many of the suspects are said to have used more than one identity, had previous criminal records, and had other arrest warrants against them.

He may face extradition to Chile over a 2015 theft case in which someone died.

Accordingly L.A. TimesThe group managed to make $2.5 million with the robbery plan.

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