Group of illegals used blowtorches, cell phone jammers and disguises to rob banks: FBI agents

A group of illegal immigrants from South America have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly using construction worker disguises, blowtorches and cell phone jammers, among other “sophisticated tactics,” to defraud banks in several states of more than $4 million to rob federal prosecutors.

The group, made up primarily of Chilean nationals, targeted more than 29 banks and credit unions across California, Oregon and Washington between May and October, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, the group located ATMs in “vulnerable locations,” then rented short-term vacation properties nearby and rented used cars on the “black market.”

Officials said nine of the 11 people charged were arrested last week and two others were arrested in Washington on Oct. 30.

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In one incident, prosecutors said, the suspected thieves scouted a store next to a Wells Fargo in Modesto, California, broke in at night and cut a hole in the wall to get to the bank's ATMs.

Authorities released images of the suspected bank robbers dressed as construction workers and wearing hard hats, surgical masks and high-visibility vests.

In another incident, prosecutors allege, the bandits attacked a bank in Fall River Mills, California. They allegedly used blowtorches, saws and other power tools to gain access to the bank and its interior safes. The suspected bandits were interrupted and fled, leaving behind some of their tools.

Authorities said they found hundreds of pounds of robbery tools, disguises, fake identification documents and more than $100,000 in cash at several short-term rental properties in Oregon and Washington.

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The suspected bandits in a bank during a robbery. (US Department of Justice)

Talbert called the illegal immigrants:

• Alex Moyano Morales, 24, from Chile
• Maite Celis Silva, 26, from Chile
• Erik Osorio Olivarez, 20, from Chile
• Pablo Valdez Rodriguez, 36, Chilean citizen
• Rosa Bastias Serra, 42, from Chile
• Camilo Sepulveda Guzman, 31, from Peru
• Bassil Dacosta Frias, 34, from Venezuela
• Camilo Alarcon Alarcon, 23, from Chile
• Michelle Parada Munoz, 21, from Chile
• Alvaro Lagos Mieres, 44, from Chile
• Humberto Jimenez Moreno, 45, from Chile

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According to court documents, investigators tracked the crew to several short-term rental properties in Oregon and Washington state, where the FBI executed search warrants and found hundreds of pounds of robbery tools, disguises, fake identification documents and more than $100,000 in cash. (US Department of Justice)

Talbert added that all defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, while Moyano, Celis, Osorio, Valdez, Bastias, Sepulveda, Lagos and Jimenez are additionally charged with bank robbery.

Court documents allege the defendants targeted banks and ATMs throughout the Eastern District of California, including Fresno, Auburn, Merced, Clovis, Modesto, Roseville, Rocklin, Yuba City and Fall River Mills. They also targeted banks and ATMs in Oregon, Washington and the Los Angeles area.

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If convicted, Talbert said, the defendants face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for bank robbery and five years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank robbery.