Global Crime Ring Exposed: 11 Foreigners Charged in $4 Million West Coast Bank Heist Spree!
Eleven foreign nationals face federal charges in a string of West Coast bank heists, as the FBI hunts for more victims. š #News #FresnoCA #California #Crime
FRESNO, CA – In a crime wave spanning the West Coast, eleven foreign nationals face federal charges for their alleged roles in a series of highly coordinated bank and ATM robberies. The FBI has urged anyone with information or who suspects they may have been targeted to come forward, hoping to uncover additional victims and prevent future attacks.
A Crime Spree Across the West Coast
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California reported Thursday that these individuals allegedly conspired to rob ATMs and vaults across numerous banks and credit unions from May through October 2024.
According to prosecutors, the operation involved short-term vacation rentals near targeted locations, as well as rental cars obtained on the black market. Disguised as construction workers, the suspects reportedly employed blowtorches, cellphone jammers, and other advanced tools to bypass ATM security at vulnerable locations.
Sophisticated Tactics: The Tools and Disguises of a Heist
With search warrants executed in Oregon and Washington, investigators uncovered a trove of evidence: hundreds of pounds of equipment, disguises, counterfeit identification documents, and over $100,000 in cash linked to the heists.
Authorities believe the suspects collectively targeted more than 29 banks and credit unions across California, Oregon, and Washington, seizing an estimated $4 million.
The Suspects and Charges: Inside the Indictments
Those indicted include Alex Moyano Morales, 24; Maite Celis Silva, 26; Erik Osorio Olivarez, 20; Pablo Valdez Rodriguez, 36; Rosa Bastias Serra, 42; Camilo Sepulveda Guzman, 31; Bassil Dacosta Frias, 34; Camilo Alarcon Alarcon, 23; Michelle Parada Munoz, 21; Alvaro Lagos Mieres, 44; and Humberto Jimenez Moreno, 45.
All defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, while Moyano, Celis, Osorio, Valdez, Bastias, Sepulveda, Lagos, and Jimenez face additional charges of bank robbery. All are foreign nationals from Chile, Peru, and Venezuela, adding an international element to the crime spree.
FBI Issues Public Plea
The FBI has issued a public plea, asking any financial institutions that have experienced ATM thefts matching the described pattern, businesses or individuals who have witnessed unusual activity near ATMs, or anyone with surveillance footage of suspicious behavior at banking facilities to share their information. A questionnaire is available on the FBI website for those willing to help.
“We strongly encourage anyone with relevant information, no matter how minor it may seem, to come forward,” the FBI stated. “Your cooperation could help prevent future crimes and bring these perpetrators to justice.”
As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to unraveling the full extent of this complex operation, hoping to deter similar schemes from taking root.
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