30 ATM Machine Thefts Linked To Riverside County Man: Sheriff's Dept.

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A man suspected of stealing an ATM machine in Perris by using a tow strap is also connected to similar incidents in the cities of Murrieta, Menifee, Perris, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley and Norco, as well as locations in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, authorities announced Thursday.

Paul Kolacki, 34, of Riverside was arrested June 6 following a months-long investigation into ATM thefts across the Southland, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation into Kolacki began around 10:40 p.m. Jan. 15 when deputies from the Perris Sheriff's Station got a call about a burglary in the 300 block of Wilkerson Avenue.

A witness told investigators that two suspects stole an ATM machine from the location using a tow strap connected to a tow hitch on a Ford Ranger truck.

Once they pilfered the machine, the suspects loaded it into the back of the truck and fled the scene, according to the sheriff's department.

Investigators learned of nine other ATM burglaries across Riverside County and 20 others in nearby counties, the department reported.

"All the ATM burglaries utilized the same Ford Ranger to drag an ATM from the business, where it was loaded into the bed of the truck and driven away," according to the department.

Evidence of the thefts, including the truck and license plate, was captured on video surveillance, the agency said.

Kolacki was booked into Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of multiple counts of burglary, grand theft and vandalism connected to the Riverside County incidents.

Information about the second suspect was not provided by the sheriff's department.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Deputy Nicholas Ramirez at Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at 951-776-1099, or the Perris Station at 951-210-1000.