Deputies say Herve Fils Viaud went on a destructive run of attempted ATM burglaries across Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, leaving cash machines and storefronts with more than $170,000 in damage. The investigation hit its peak with a high-speed pursuit on I-95 that ended with Viaud’s arrest in Miami Gardens. A later search of vehicles tied to the case turned up tools and other gear, and surveillance video helped investigators connect the dots across crime scenes.
According to WPEC, investigators say the suspect leaned on a low-tech toolkit for his alleged smash jobs. Crowbars, chains, tow straps and rental vehicles were all in the mix, and in some cases he allegedly strapped an ATM directly to a car in attempts to yank it loose. Detectives say they linked several scenes using surveillance footage and vehicle rental records tied to fraudulent identities. State arrest reports list charges including burglary of a structure, grand theft and possession of burglary tools.
Bank Robbery, I-95 Chase and Arrest
As described in a U.S. Department of Justice release, the case escalated after a Feb. 1, 2022 TD Bank robbery in Delray Beach that sparked a multi-county pursuit down I-95. The chase ended in a standoff in Miami Gardens, where officers took the suspect into custody. Federal court records show he later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in October 2022. The Justice Department said the FBI and multiple local agencies worked the case together.
How Investigators Tied the Break-ins Together
Detectives told reporters that a recurring pattern of tools, clothing and rental records helped them attribute a string of ATM attempts to the same person. During searches of vehicles linked to the probe, they say they recovered equipment that matched what showed up on surveillance footage. While some of the attempted break-ins did not produce any cash, the damage to the machines and nearby storefronts piled up, forcing business owners to deal with costly repairs and lost operating time.
Charges and What Comes Next
State arrest paperwork lists multiple felony counts tied to the ATM incidents, and prosecutors are expected to review the reports and evidence before deciding what charges to formally file. Federal court records from early 2022 also document the Delray Beach bank robbery and the chase that followed. The original criminal complaint is available through Miami New Times. Authorities have asked anyone with additional information to contact investigators as the case moves through state and federal courts.
Local Impact
When ATMs get torn up in failed heists, bank branches and nearby businesses are often left footing the repair bills. Repeated attempts can push smaller spots to change their hours or temporarily shut down to fix the damage. Deputies estimate the recent Palm Beach County incidents alone caused more than six figures in losses, and say they are still combing through surveillance footage and rental records as they continue building their cases.
Anyone with tips is urged to contact the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office or share information with local authorities. For now, investigators and prosecutors are sorting through a growing stack of reports and records as they prepare their next moves in court.
