STRATEGIC PARTNERS
March 11, 2002
NEWARK, N.J. -- Christopher LaCroix, the 36-year-old former roommate of renegade ATM operator Michael Schwartz, pleaded guilty on March 11 to taking millions of dollars from Schwartz.
Authorities believe Schwartz stole $4.9 million from some of the 160 ATMs he operated in New York and New Jersey before fleeing to Florida and renting a room from LaCroix, of West Palm Beach, in early December.
Lacroix told police he found Schwartz dead on their couch, surrounded by beer bottles and marijuana bags, according to prosecutors.
Lacroix then raided Schwartz's van and said he hauled bags stashed with $20 bills to a storage locker and then to an abandoned house.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of receiving, possessing and storing stolen property.
The FBI has recovered about $3.6 million. About $1.3 million remains missing, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah J. Gannett.
Gannett said LaCroix remains under investigation in Schwartz's death. Defense attorney Jack Fleischman denied LaCroix's involvement, calling Schwartz's death an unfortunate accident.
