STRATEGIC PARTNERS
January 3, 2002
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Officials hope to find some answers in the mystery of the missing $5 million when they search a van owned by Michael Schwartz, the ATM operator who allegedly fled with Humboldt Bank's money
West Palm Beach police towed a van owned by Schwartz from a carport he had rented with the help of a roommate, Christopjer Lacroix. Schwartz had parked the van there and concealed it under a tarp.
"Hopefully the search of the van will lead to some clues," Special Agent Bill Evanina, of the FBI's Newark office, told Newsday. "The way it was discovered leads us to believe he didn't know it would be found."
Schwartz had rented the carport at the Glenmoor Apartments for $30 a month. As of Jan. 3, FBI agents were waiting to obtain a search warrant so they could inspect the van for clues, according to the Newsday report.
Schwartz, 37, was last seen on Dec. 2, loading a van in front of the Jersey City building where he lived and ran his business, Direct Connect ATM. On Dec. 12, Humboldt Bank announced that they suspected him of taking $5 million, weighing 350 pounds, that he was supposed to use to stock ATMs.
Schwartz, traveling with his two cats, Bonnie and Clyde, rented a room at the West Palm Beach apartment complex under the names Jeff Alexander and Jeff Alexandria. His roommate, Lacroix, found him dead in a pool of his own vomit on Christmas Day. Lacroix told authorities that Schwartz had been drinking since his arrival.
Lacroix also told authorities that he had no idea Schwartz owned a vehicle until he asked for his help finding a spot to park it. Lacroix helped him secure the canopy-covered spot behind their apartment building. However, Schwartz, who had arrived at his new apartment in a taxi, continued to use them exclusively to get around, Lacroix said.
