7 charged with stealing $1M from ATM drivers across New York City

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Wednesday, March 4, 2020
7 charged with stealing $1M from ATM drivers across New York City
Kemberly Richardson reports on the ATM heist in Brooklyn.

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN (WABC) -- Seven men were arrested for allegedly stealing more than $1 million from trucks carrying cash to refill private ATMs in Brooklyn.

The defendants allegedly watched two Brooklyn warehouses, targeted cars that were carrying cash from those locations and used various methods - including releasing air from tires - to enter the cars and steal the money.

They are believed to have committed 15 heists throughout the city between December 2017 and July 2019.

"These defendants allegedly ran a brazen and lucrative scheme to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from our local businesses," District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "An intensive investigation by the NYPD and my Office has ended their citywide crime spree and we will now seek to hold them responsible for their numerous crimes."

Gonzalez identified the defendants as Brooklyn residents William Jackson aka "Smoke," 47, Lance Spearman aka "Lo," 39, Jamel Cooper aka "Coop," 44, Jeffrey Blount, 55, Sherrod Coleman aka "Rod," 45, Johnnie Corbett, 31, and Freddie Barnes, 46.

They are named in an 81-count indictment in which they are variously charged with fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy, multiple counts of second-, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, third-degree burglary and related charges.

No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

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