Crime & Safety
Investigators Arrest Suspect in Multiple ATM Thefts
Daniel Eamon Sweeny, 40, of Tustin was accused of stealing more than 20 ATMs.
A 40-year-old Tustin man suspected of stealing as many as 24 semi-portable automated teller machines was behind bars Tuesday.
Daniel Eamon Sweeny was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon on a charge of possessing stolen property, while detectives work to put together the larger case for prosecutors, according to sheriff's Lt. Jeff Hallock.
Sheriff's detectives first identified Sweeny as a suspect in an ATM theft inside a Laguna Niguel business in February, and the description of the vehicle used led a deputy to attempt a traffic stop, which turned into a pursuit.
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The driver got away, but detectives were able to link Sweeny to the vehicle. In recent weeks, detectives watched Sweeny driving around after midnight, apparently casing businesses, Hallock said.
On Sunday, Sweeny was pulled over driving a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee in Mission Viejo and arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property.
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Searches of his property led to more evidence tying Sweeny to ATM thefts, Hallock said.
— City News Service
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