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Colorado Springs law enforcement arrests alleged ATM thief

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October 2, 2026

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A months-long regional law enforcement investigation led to the arrest of 42-year-old James Garcia for a series of commercial burglaries across multiple jurisdictions, according to a report by Fox 21 News.

The crime pattern began between July 3 and July 7, 2026, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), when Garcia forcibly entered local businesses and attempted to steal ATMs using a stolen U-Haul. Following a pursuit and crash in Teller County on July 8, Garcia temporarily evaded capture. The spree resumed in August, involving additional stolen vehicles and ATM burglary attempts in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.

Coordinated efforts between CSPD's Property Crimes division, Real Time Crime Center, Tactical Enforcement Unit, and K9 Unit resulted in Garcia's apprehension Sept. 15 alongside his girlfriend. A subsequent search warrant executed at their Teller County home yielded evidence directly linking Garcia to the regional thefts.

On Sept. 23, Garcia was booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on multiple felony charges, including eight counts of second-degree burglary, motor vehicle theft, vehicular eluding, and criminal mischief.

At the time of his arrest, Garcia was on state parole for a similar 2019 ATM theft and on federal probation for a 2018 gun store burglary.

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