Former Bank Teller Is Arrested in Theft of an ATM Cash Box
TARZANA — A former bank teller who returned to empty his safety deposit box Friday evening was arrested by police after he took an ATM cash box containing $35,000 from the Tarzana bank’s vault, authorities said.
Jose DeLeon, 23, of Northridge had gone to Coast Federal Savings at 18751 Ventura Blvd. about 6:05 p.m. to clear out his safety deposit box when he used a bank key to gain entrance to a vault where ATM cash boxes are kept, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Robert Taylor said. DeLeon took one of the cash boxes and ran out a back door, Taylor said.
When police showed up at DeLeon’s home in the 18600 block of Callahan Street in Northridge, DeLeon refused to let them conduct a search, Taylor said.
After obtaining a search warrant, police found the money in DeLeon’s pickup truck, which was parked in the garage, Taylor said.
DeLeon was charged with grand theft and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail at West Valley Police Station, Taylor said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
