ST.MARY PARISH, La. (KLFY) — Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with an ATM burglary ring in Amelia, Morgan City, and Berwick, deputies said.

Deputies arrested and charged the suspects on Sept. 12 with the following:

• Aiverson Pinango-Paez, 25, of Chicago, IL: theft $5000-$25,000, simple burglary and misrepresentation during booking.
• Abraham Hernandez-Monges, 31, of Chicago, IL: theft $5000-$25,000, simple burglary and misrepresentation during booking.

According to St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office (SMPSO), they received a complaint of a burglary of an ATM machine at a local bank in Amelia on Sept. 10.

During the investigation, a Morgan City Police Department (MCPD) said they received a complaint regarding a similar ATM burglary in Morgan City. Officers determined that 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, officials said.

Later on, the Berwick Police Department (BPD) received a complaint of a burglary of an ATM in Berwick on Sept. 11, officials said.

In the early morning of Sept. 12, officers observed the suspect vehicle traveling west on U.S. Highway 90 and conducted a traffic stop. The occupants, identified as Venezuelan nationals, were detained and transported to MCPD for further investigation, officials said.

A search on the vehicle led to the discovery of a large amount of cash and burglary tools consistent with ATM-style burglaries. Then investigators said they allegedly secured a confession linking the suspects to the local ATM burglaries and identified additional suspects and vehicles involved.

As the investigation expanded, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) reported they located the suspects and took them into custody. Authorities said they were allegedly able to obtain 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.

Officials with SMPSO and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said they located and seized a large amount of stolen cash in Lafayette on Tuesday.

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.

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