DNA leads to arrest of Houston man for alleged ATM theft
DNA evidence and the FBI helped Wichita Falls Police track down an alleged ATM theft suspect.
The Wichita County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jack McNeal, of Houston, Tuesday on warrants for Theft of Property under $300,000 and Attempt to Commit Theft of Property under $300,000 ATM.
According to allegations made in the arrest warrant:
On Oct. 30, 2020, just before 6 a.m., Wichita Falls Police were dispatched to the 2800 block of Midwestern Parkway at the First Bank where a witness saw suspects burglarizing the ATM. The report noted prior to this incident, there had been four other ATM burglaries within two months where the suspects were not apprehended.
The witness told police they saw the suspects trying to use a large truck to pull the ATM out. The suspects then drove to Park Place Apartments, a couple of blocks away, on Maplewood where they ran through the complex parking lot.
More: Police investigate another ATM burglary
Police found the 2007 Ford F250 abandoned in front of the apartment complex with the ignition and door lock punched. The registered owner confirmed the truck was stolen some time during the night.
The free-standing ATM had been pulled out of the concrete and dragged into the parking lot.
Police later confirmed it contained $147,000. A review of the security footage showed two men wearing dark hoodies, gloves, face masks, sweats, and unique basketball shoes, back the stolen truck to the ATM, pry it open, attach hooks and chains and use the truck to pull the ATM from the concrete. The suspects are seen collecting items off the ground before driving away. Officers found hoodies, face masks, gloves and basketball shoes scattered in the parking lot of the apartment complex.
The evidence was gathered and sent to the FBI lab to be analyzed for DNA. Eight of the items returned with possible DNA from possible suspect, Jack Gredrick McNeal. McNeal was in custody at the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Jail. A DNA warrant was obtained, and McNeal’s DNA was sent to the FBI to be compared with the clothing recovered from the scene. The DNA returned a positive match to McNeal.
A records check found McNeal was previously arrested in February 2020 by Sugarland Texas Police for Theft of Property less than $300,000 involving an ATM.
More: Affidavit sheds new light on attempted ATM theft arrest
McNeal was arrested and charged with Theft of Property under $300,000 and Attempt to Commit Theft of Property under $300,000 ATM. His bond was recommended at $175,000.
More: Second suspect arrested in attempted ATM theft
Wichita Falls Police Department spokesman Sgt. Charlie Eipper said, the witness also told police the suspects drove to the American National Bank and attempted to pull out their ATM but failed.
According to an unrelated Times Record News report, on July 20, 2021, Wichita Falls Police caught would-be ATM hijackers in the act at the First Capital Bank of Texas ATM in Parker Square. One suspect was arrested that day, and another was arrested in August.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: DNA evidence leads to alleged ATM theft suspect arrest
