Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a string of ATM robberies spanning multiple states, with a PlayStation 5 console playing an unexpected role in their capture. Following a Bank of America ATM heist in Tempe, Arizona, authorities utilized GPS data from stolen cash cassettes and account information from a PS5 console found in a getaway car to identify the culprits, as reported by FOX 7 Austin. The suspects, Maurice Brooks, Micah Lazaro, and Anthony Smith, were arrested in Houston, Texas, with their crimes recorded on surveillance on November 5, 2024.
The Tempe Police Department’s investigation revealed that the suspects took advantage of ATM technicians working on a drive-through machine, forcing them to leave before stealing the cassettes containing just under $280,000. Jessica Ells of Tempe Police told Yahoo News, "Officers were able to use that GPS location data and within about an hour were able to find out where the cassettes had been taken," leading to the discovery of the rental car and the PS5, which the suspects had used and left behind.
Furthermore, Tempe Police made connections between the Arizona incident and similar ATM robberies in other states, suggesting an extensive spree conducted with a consistent modus operandi. Dashcam footage from the suspects' vehicle additionally placed them at the scene of the crime.
Ells emphasized the importance of vigilance when using ATMs, advising the public to always be conscious of their surroundings and potential security risks; “If you're going to ATMs, whether you're going into the bank or you're going to the ATM itself, whether through the drive-thru or the walk-up. Just always be aware of your surroundings. Be aware if anyone might be following you home or following you to your car," she urged in a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin. Two of the suspects have been extradited to Arizona, while one remains in Texas awaiting extradition on federal charges.
