๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ท๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ผ, ๐ฎ๐ฎ, was arrested on September 15, 2025, at 3:34 pm on an MCPD warrant for principal to theft or criminal access of an ATM and principal to simple burglary. Alejandro was also arrested on an SMPSO warrant for principal to simple burglary and principal to theft or criminal access to an ATM.
๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฉ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐, ๐ฎ๐ฑ, was arrested on September 15, 2025, at 3:38 pm on an MCPD warrant for principal to theft or criminal access of an ATM machine and principal to simple burglary. Veloz was also arrested on an SMPSO warrant for principal to simple burglary and principal to theft or criminal access to an ATM.
๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ท๐ผ-๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฒ๐, ๐ฎ๐ฐ, was arrested on September 16, 2025, at 10:33 am on an MCPD warrant for theft, burglary-attempted, and misrepresentation during booking. Pinanjo-Paez was also arrested on an SMPSO warrant for simple burglary (2 counts) and theft or criminal access to an ATM (2 counts).
๐๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฎ๐บ ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐-๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐, ๐ฎ๐ฑ, was arrested on September 16, 2025, at 11:19 am on an MCPD warrant for principal to theft or criminal access of an ATM machine and principal to simple burglary. Monges-Hernandez was also arrested on a SMPSO warrant for principal to simple burglary and principal to theft or criminal access to an ATM machine.
On September 10, 2025, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office (SMPSO) received a complaint of a burglary of an ATM machine at a local bank in Amelia. Detectives opened an investigation at that time.
During the investigation, a Morgan City Police Department (MCPD) detective, assisting an SMPSO detective, received a complaint regarding a similar ATM burglary in Morgan City. MCPD detectives determined that some unknown suspects attempted to gain entry into the ATM, but were unsuccessful. Video surveillance revealed a gold-colored sedan with covered license plates, identified as a suspect vehicle.
On September 11, the Berwick Police Department (BPD) received a complaint of a burglary of an ATM in Berwick. Detectives from BPD, MCPD, and SMPSO began sharing information on the related incidents and MCPD detectives were able to identify the vehicle and issued a statewide BOLO (Be On the Lookout).
In the early morning hours of September 12, an MCPD patrol officer observed the suspect vehicle traveling west on U.S. Highway 90. Officers coordinated with SMPSO to conduct a traffic stop. The occupants, identified as Venezuelan nationals, were detained and transported to MCPD for further investigation.
A search warrant executed on the vehicle led to the discovery of a large amount of cash and burglary tools consistent with ATM-style burglaries. With the assistance of a SMPSO translator, investigators secured a confession linking the suspects to the local ATM burglaries. Detectives also developed additional suspects and vehicles involved.
As the investigation expanded, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) was alerted to the suspects’ and vehicle descriptions. LPSO deputies located the suspects and took them into custody. A SMPSO detective, assisted by an MCPD detective and an MCPD interpreter, obtained a confession from one of the suspects. Both suspects were arrested in Lafayette Parish and later transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
On September 16, SMPSO detectives, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), located and seized a large amount of stolen cash in Lafayette.
Investigators believe the suspects are connected to the Venezuelan multinational gang known as Tren de Aragua and are involved in a method of ATM theft commonly referred to as “jackpotting.” This investigation remains active and ongoing, involving multiple local, state, and federal agencies across the United States.
Sheriff Gary Driskell, MCPD Chief Chad M. Adams, and BPD Chief David Leonard to thanked the U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Louisiana State Police for their assistance in this investigation.
Law enforcement officials said, “The collaborative efforts of detectives, patrol officers, and supporting agencies prevented further criminal activity. This case highlights that interagency cooperation is essential and consistently leads to stronger protection and safety for the community.”
KQKI News Correspondent Brady Borel spoke to Berwick Police Chief David Leonard, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell and Morgan City Police Chief Chad Adams earlier Thursday regarding the arrests.