Atascadero police say the theft of two vans from the Atascadero Unified School District and the attempted theft of an ATM from Pacific Premier Bank are connected and they’ve arrested two people for the crimes.
Police identified the suspects as Francis Humes, 35, of Monterey and Christopher Burrell, 43, of Atascadero.
Between Friday, May 24 and Monday, May 27, police reportedly investigated three incidents that investigators linked back to the two men.
First, they say two vans were stolen from the Atascadero Unified School District, then someone tried to steal a van on Traffic Way. Finally, stolen construction equipment was reportedly used in an attempt to remove an ATM from Pacific Premier Bank.
Police say they tracked the suspects to Monterey County, and on June 5, Humes was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, attempted grand theft, vandalism, and conspiracy.
Burrell was arrested for a probation violation on June 11, but police say he will also face the same charges as Humes.
Police say they are continuing to investigate and ask anyone with information about these crimes to contact Detective Sergeant Jeff Wilshusen at (805) 461-5051.
