Prattville Police Department
We were made aware the day of the arrest made by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office of their arrest of this group of individuals from Texas and have been coordinating with them, as well as the FBI to determine their involvement in our robbery. While we are still investigating our case, we believe this group may be involved or associated with the group that hit Prattville on the 13th. We have since recovered both vehicles involved in our robbery (not the one pictured with Santa Rosa CO). We will continue to work with all involved and affected jurisdictions as this will be part of a larger ring from out of state.
That being said, and because we’re winding down the last few shopping days before Christmas, PLEASE be aware of your surroundings when operating ATMs, either at a bank drive-thru or a standalone ATM. If you see ANYTHING strange about the ATM (objects stuck in the card slot, equipment tampered with or potential skimmers, someone hanging around the ATM with no obvious intent on using it), call us IMMEDIATELY! It’s always better to have seen something and said something then to just ignore it and allow the Grinch’s to cause harm to someone or you. Don’t wait for that elusive “somebody” to say or do something, BE that somebody and help your fellow citizens out and prevent possible future crime.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office FL · Follow
December 21 at 7:30 AM ·
🚨 Multi-State ATM Robbery Suspects Arrested in Santa Rosa County 🚨
On December 18, 2024, Santa Rosa County deputies arrested three following a traffic stop on Hwy 90 in the Pace. The vehicle, a 2024 Nissan Altima, was pulled over for a window tint violation. Inside three individuals were identified as Andrew Bishop (18), Dylon Thomas (20), and Brad Fokam (19).
Through a multi-state agency collaboration, SRSO Deputies received information linking this car to ATM burglaries spanning South East states.
Upon further review, this group of individuals was linked to a larger organized crime group based out of Texas. This same method was linked to multiple ATM crimes earlier this week in Mississippi, Alabama and Pensacola. The occurrence of these incidents range from early December to the Pensacola attempt on December 17. The suspects of these incidents all have been based out of Houston, Texas.
Let this serve as another reminder: Don’t bring your crime into or through this county!
During a search of the vehicle the following was uncovered and removed from our community:
– A trafficking amount of fentanyl powder
– 24 baggies of synthetic cannabinoids (Spice)
– Marijuana
– ATM Burglary Paraphernalia
Fokam and Thomas initially provided false names and dates of birth to law enforcement.
The suspects were charged with the following:
– Trafficking fentanyl
– Possession of synthetic drugs with intent to sell
– Providing false ID to law enforcement (Fokam and Thomas)
– Possession of a controlled substance
The suspects used a crafty (and dangerous) tactic:
1. Super-Glue Cards: They inserted glue-coated debit cards into ATM slots, disabling the machine.
2. Hide and Wait: Once a technician was called to repair the machine, the suspects ambushed them as the ATM was opened.
3. Threats or Force: The suspects would then rob the technician of the cash inside.
While we are not in the business of giving criminal advice, it may be Basic Heist 101 to change clothing while on the run! 🏃
Pictured you can see that the same gloves used in the Mississippi ATM burglary are found in the suspects car, and the suspect is wearing the same ‘Looney Tunes’ hoodie when taken into custody.
Sheriff Johnson is pleased to have stopped these criminals and reminds all, we don’t play in Santa Rosa County!
If you find a card glued into an ATM slot, leave immediately and contact authorities.
Further investigations are ongoing and we will provide further information as it becomes available.
#CrimeStopsinSantaRosaCounty #NotInThisCounty #WhenWillTheyLearn
