Joint law enforcement effort leads to arrests in ATM theft ring

Plano, Texas - A joint effort involving members of the Plano police and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) units has led to the apprehension of eight individuals, suspected to be involved in a series of criminal activities, as per Dallas Metro News.

These individuals are linked to an intricate Automated Teller Machine (ATM) theft ring, reportedly with operations that span across the extensive Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region.

Jennifer Chapman, a public information officer for Plano police, shed light on the extent of their operations. “All over DFW and who knows if they had even gone anywhere else so very active,” she said. “That’s what makes it a little more difficult to kind of follow.”

On June 1, just as dawn was breaking, the culmination of this intensive operation took place. The accused were caught in the act of orchestrating a burglary at a 7-Eleven convenience store's ATM, located on Fort Worth Drive, Denton.

The Plano Police Department stated that this operation is a testament to the coordinated efforts of various law enforcement jurisdictions striving to uphold justice. They firmly believe that the apprehension of these suspects resulted from their harmonized, cross-jurisdictional endeavors.

“We’re extremely proud of the officers and the detectives that worked in conjunction with other agencies and partnering with the actual 7-Eleven stores themselves,” Chapman articulated.

The Plano police anticipate that these arrests will lead to the resolution of over 50 ATM theft offenses, as per a press release.

Before the Denton incident, Plano police were investigating a similar case that occurred on May 25 in Plano at another 7-Eleven store. The accused used a pickup truck to crash into the store's window, wrap a chain around the ATM, and yank it out. In a further display of audacity, the vehicle used in the crime was reportedly stolen from Garland and was later found near an apartment complex, as confirmed by local authorities.

During their thorough examination of the Plano burglary, investigators identified multiple vehicles and the specific modus operandi used in these systematic ATM thefts. Plano police also noted a series of similar crimes occurring across the metropolitan area, prompting a more extensive multi-agency investigation.

Several departments, including Plano, Coppell, Dallas, Euless, Frisco, Garland, and Grapevine, along with the Department of Public Safety, united to tackle this surge in organized crime. They collaborated with a 7-Eleven Zone Asset Protection Manager, establishing an unprecedented alliance that eventually led to the successful arrest of the suspects.

The eight suspects apprehended were 29-year-old Anthony Dewayne Turner, 25-year-old Cortaveya Jean Jackson, 24-year-old Danaijay Jacoby Derrett, 27-year-old Dominique Marquis Childress, 29-year-old Joseph George Milton Turner, 26-year-old Leroy Alvin Walls, 37-year-old Louis Edward Coleman, and 24-year-old Marlon Briscoe, all from Dallas, except for Jackson from Mesquite and Coleman from DeSoto. They have all been charged with theft of ATM property under $300,000, a second-degree felony and have managed to bond out, according to Chapman.

With the suspects now in custody, police are turning their focus to prevention, sharing advice with other stores. “Our crime prevention unit is going to go out and try to what we call harden the targets so we can prevent some of these in the future,” said Chapman.

This operation signifies a significant stride in the fight against such illicit activities, underscoring law enforcement's commitment to protecting the community. It highlights the proactive approach of the police department in tackling the increasing trend of organized crime, with the aim of creating safer neighborhoods.