News

Few too many drinks lead to ATM prank, arrest

October 1, 2003

UNION CITY, N.J. - Police charged 29-year-old Tomas Cabrera with disorderly conduct after he filled an envelope with a powdery substance and deposited it inside an automated ATM on Sept. 30, according to a report in the Jersey Journal.

Police arrested Cabrera after he placed the substance inside an ATM at a Fleet Bank at branch, said Deputy Chief Charles Everett. After bank employees emptying the ATM discovered the powder-filled envelope, a state hazardous-materials unit was called in.

The unit is currently testing the substance, according to the Jersey Journal.

"At this stage it doesn't appear to be anything toxic," Everett said. "He alleged that it was some sort of bleach, but we don't have the results back yet."

Cabrera was arrested on charges of risk of widespread alarm and theft by deception for "listing that the envelope contained $1,300 when there was no money inside," Everett said.

Cabrera was apparently intoxicated at the time, Everett said. "It was some sort of prank that he thought would be funny."