Augusta, Maine – Three men are in custody following a series of ATM burglaries that occurred late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, according to the Augusta Police Department. The incidents targeted ATMs at two separate credit unions, prompting a swift response from local and federal law enforcement.
The first alarm was triggered at Trademark Federal Credit Union on Edison Drive around 11 p.m. On Tuesday, March 10. Shortly after midnight, officers responded to a second alarm at Connected Credit Union on Civic Center Drive. Police encountered a dark-colored Toyota sedan fleeing the scene of the second burglary “at a high rate of speed,” as stated by Augusta Police Chief Kevin Lully in a news release reported by the Kennebec Journal.
Details of the Arrests and Charges
Following a brief pursuit, police located and stopped the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the three occupants. The suspects have been identified as Yorman Uzcategui, Rafael Mari-Pina, and Yorman Parra. All three men were initially charged with burglary and criminal mischief in connection with the ATM break-ins as detailed by NEWS CENTER Maine. Evidence believed to be linked to the crimes was also seized during the investigation.
Each suspect was initially held at the Kennebec County Jail on $20,000 cash bail. However, all three were subsequently taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) according to WGME. Authorities have confirmed that the three men are Venezuelan nationals as reported by The Maine Wire.
Multi-Agency Cooperation in the Investigation
The Augusta Police Department credited several agencies with assisting in the investigation, including the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, Richmond Police Department, Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and Augusta police. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in addressing criminal activity.
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not yet released information regarding whether any money was taken from the ATMs during the burglaries according to reports. The incident has raised questions about security measures at local credit unions and the potential for similar crimes in the future.
The arrests come amid ongoing debate regarding cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. A Democratic proposal to restrict collaboration with federal agencies, backed by Governor Janet Mills, could potentially have allowed the suspects to remain free under modern “sanctuary state” rules as noted by The Maine Wire.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of the crimes and any potential connections to other incidents. The focus now shifts to the federal immigration proceedings involving Uzcategui, Mari-Pina, and Parra. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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