Albuquerque man arrested for attempted ATM theft, court documents say

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man with a long criminal history is facing charges after allegedly attempting to rob an ATM.

On April 11, police were called to the PNC Bank at 3500 Candelaria Road NE on a report of vandalism by a man later identified as Mario Vasquez, according to court documents. Vasquez was allegedly observed going to an ATM and attempting to steal it, a bank employee told police.

Vasquez then reportedly went to the Bank of America at the corner of Carlisle Boulevard NE and Candelaria Road NE, where he was allegedly observed damaging an ATM. However, upon walking through the bank, employees said they did not find any new damage to any of their ATMs, according to court documents. However, PNC Bank reported that “criminal damage of a punitive amount” had occurred to one of its ATMs and that it planned to press charges.

Officers arrested Vasquez near the Bank of America. He reportedly told police he was trying to verify his account at PNC Bank using a code and the ATM was broken before he got there. Vasquez also reportedly told police he opened the ATM to connect some wires. He also told police he took some documents and various parts of the PNC Bank ATM “in case he needed them,” court documents state.

Officers also found brass knuckles on Vasquez, which he said he found on the ground and was carrying with him for protection.

Vasquez was arrested and charged with commercial burglary and illegal possession of a firearm. His prior convictions include auto theft, drugs and firearm possession.