Venezuela Gang Involved In Western State ATM Thefts

A Venezuela gang with confirmed ties to the violent prison gang Tren de Aragua has been connected to an ATM theft ring in multiple states, including Wyoming.

Recent arrests have occurred in North and South Dakota.

West Fargo police of a 25-year-old illegal immigrant and gang member outside of a Gate City Bank branch. was allegedly involved with bank ATM thefts in the Red River Valley.

“During that traffic stop, [the officer] starts talking to the individual, who is here illegally, who is not a citizen of the United States. As he questions him, he ends up finding that there was over $24,000 cash in his vehicle,” West Fargo Police Chief Pete Neilsen told Valley News Live.

 

Upon searching the vehicle, police found facemasks, black latex gloves, a computer keyboard with several cables and wires, and more than $24,000 in cash. According to court documents, he admitted to being involved with a group of hackers who "jackpot" ATMs to steal money. (Center Square).

 

The suspect gave up the names and locations of 2 other gang members in the area.

“When you have someone that comes into your community and steals $150,000, and that’s an illegal alien, and then leaves, one would think that the Feds would step in and say, ‘You know, I’m going to take this one,’” Nielsen said.

Last month, Farmers Branch Police Department in a Dallas suburb arrested five Venezuelan men illegally in the country believed to be part of a national ATM theft ring, The Center Square reported.

The arrests in Dallas are part of a multi-agency national ATM theft investigation in multiple states including Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Investigators with the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Secret Service are involved.