STRATEGIC PARTNERS
January 9, 2002
NEWARK, N.J. -- The FBI on Jan. 9 charged Christopher Lacroix, the Florida man who rented a room to Michael Schwartz, with hiding just under $5 million that Schwartz allegedly stole from ATMs in the New York area.
Lacroix, a 36-year-old carpenter, was arrested by FBI agents at his West Palm Beach apartment and charged with knowingly taking and concealing stolen money that had crossed state lines, according to FBI Special Agent Stephen Kodak.
Lacroix had been under suspicion since Schwartz, 36, of Jersey City, was found dead on Christmas Day in the apartment he shared with Lacroix in West Palm Beach. Authorities believe Schwartz died of alcohol poisoning.
Schwartz moved into the apartment on Dec. 13 under an assumed name after fleeing New Jersey earlier in the month with $4,982,300 in ATM cash, which he allegedly stole in the course of his job filling ATMs for California's Humboldt Bank.
The bank notified authorities in November after 100 of the machines Schwartz was supposed to restock with $1.7 million were reported out of service. Authorities say Schwartz stole those funds and gradually siphoned out the other $3.2 million.
In the complaint, Lacroix admitted that agents had informed him the day after Schwartz's death that Schwartz was wanted for the theft. Lacroix also admitted to hiding the money and to taking $90,000 from a cat carrier that Schwartz had used to transport his Siamese cats, Bonnie and Clyde, when he fled New Jersey.
Agents recovered $3.5 million of the stolen money in four bags in an abandoned house north of West Palm Beach, as well as approximately $68,000 from Lacroix's safety deposit box and storage locker, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Newark.
An investigation continues to find the remaining missing money, approximately $1.7 million.
Following his Jan. 9 appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linnea Johnson in West Palm Beach federal court, Lacroix was being held until a bail hearing on Jan 11. He may be extradited back to New Jersey to face the charge and a maximum 10-year prison term.
