The Brentwood Police Department reported responding to a suspicious circumstance near the 5100 block of Heidorn Ranch Road, where individuals in a Jeep drew their attention. The link between a dragged ATM safe along Highway 4 and those individuals quickly became the case's focus.
It wasn't long before police pieced together the puzzle. They discovered the skeletal remains of a Bank of America ATM on the 6200 block of Lone Tree Way, where the Jeep's occupants had abandoned it. The ATM’s cash box had been ripped out, and its exit marked by a trail of destruction along the highway corridor. As officers arrived, the suspects fled, prompting a high-speed pursuit.
The drama intensified when Brentwood Dispatch received a tip about a vehicle matching the suspects' description spotted in Deer Ridge. This led to swift coordination with neighboring agencies, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and the Antioch Police Department, who quickly cast a wide security net over the area.
A thorough search ensued, culminating in a discovery that might have offered some comic relief if not for the gravity of the crime: 34-year-old Kevin Monge of San Jose found his alleged hideout in a bush insufficient to evade the law's long arm. According to the City of Brentwood Police Department, Monge was "located hiding in a bush" and was "safely taken into custody," a testament to the efficiency and collaboration between the involved law enforcement agencies.
Monge now faces serious charges including grand theft, and his botched attempt at absconding with a rather unwieldy prize has landed him behind bars at the Martinez Detention Facility.
