A group of illegal immigrants from South America were indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly robbing banks across California, Oregon, and Washington using sophisticated tactics including construction crew disguises, blowtorches, and cellphone jammers. The crew, mostly made up of Chilean nationals, targeted over 29 banks and credit unions between May and October, stealing more than $4 million in cash. Authorities arrested nine of the 11 individuals charged last week, with two more arrested in Washington. The alleged thieves rented short-term vacation properties near ATMs, used cars obtained on the black market, and employed various tools to break into banks and access their vaults.
In one incident in Modesto, California, the alleged robbers scouted a business next to a Wells Fargo, broke in at night, and cut a hole in the wall to reach the ATMs. Pictures released by authorities show the suspects dressed as construction crew workers with hard hats, surgical masks, and safety vests. In another incident in Fall River Mills, California, the bandits allegedly used blowtorches and saws to access a bank before being interrupted and fleeing, leaving behind some tools. Authorities discovered hundreds of pounds of robbery tools, disguises, fake identification documents, and over $100,000 in cash at several rental properties in Oregon and Washington.
The illegal immigrants named in the indictment included nationals from Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, with charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery brought against all defendants. Additional charges of bank robbery were made against some of the individuals. Court documents indicate that the defendants targeted banks and ATMs in various locations, including areas within the Eastern District of California such as Fresno, Auburn, Modesto, and Roseville, as well as cities in Oregon, Washington, and Los Angeles. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery and five years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank robbery.
The alleged robbery crew employed a range of tactics to carry out their crimes, with authorities highlighting their use of construction crew disguises and tool manipulation to access bank vaults. Photos released by officials show the suspects dressed in outfits resembling construction workers with equipment such as blowtorches and saws. The individuals rented properties near targeted banks, indicating a level of planning and coordination in their criminal activities. Their operations spanned multiple states across the West Coast, indicating a broader network of criminal activity than initially suspected.
Authorities noted the discovery of significant evidence implicating the defendants in the bank robbery scheme, including large amounts of cash, fake identification documents, and robbery tools found at rental properties. The scale and sophistication of the alleged operation suggest a level of organization and planning beyond typical bank robberies. The indictment and subsequent arrests bring to light the multi-state criminal activities of the group, shedding light on their use of elaborate tactics to carry out their illegal activities. If convicted, the defendants face substantial prison sentences for their involvement in the bank robberies and conspiracy to commit such crimes.