Updated: October 24, 2024, at 4 PM.

LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA - Two suspects have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of $14,400 from an ATM at Lakeview Bank located at 9725 163rd Street West in Lakeville, Minnesota on October 6, 2024. Geniver Antonio Pinuela Testa, 23, and Robert R. Rosales Rivero, 42, both face felony charges of theft over $5,000 following an investigation by local and state authorities.

According to the criminal complaint from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Lakeville police were contacted on October 7, 2024, by a bank employee who reported the theft. The employee noted that the ATM at a Lakeville bank had been emptied the previous evening. Surveillance footage showed multiple suspects walking around the bank property as early as 2 PM on the afternoon of October 6, 2024. The suspects wore COVID masks, and were reportedly walking around the bank property during the afternoon of the 6th, which raised the suspicion among employees. One of the males was also seen using an electric scooter as a mode of transportation to and from the scene. At approximately 6:25 p.m. on October 6th, the employee received an alert indicating that the ATM was out of cash. Further investigation revealed that the ATM had been tampered with, and law enforcement discovered a broken interlock switch.

Surveillance footage captured various suspects near the ATM throughout the day on October 6th, including one who manipulated the machine using a small handheld device. The footage also showed an individual leaving the scene on an electric scooter, which matched a scooter later found in the suspects' possession.

The criminal complaint states the investigation took a turn on October 11 when the Michigan State Patrol contacted the Minnesota State Patrol about an investigation they were doing on suspects “jackpotting” ATMS. Using information provided to them by the Michigan State Patrol, the Minnesota State Patrol was able to track down the possible suspects at a Shakopee, Minnesota, hotel. The suspects were identified as Pinuela Testa and Rosales Rivero. Inside their vehicle, officers discovered an electric scooter and a messenger bag containing a laptop and handheld device allegedly matching the one seen in the ATM footage. Authorities also recovered clothing allegedly matching what the suspects wore during the theft.

According to the criminal complaint, Pinuela Testa was allegedly found to possess $440 in cash. At the same time, a subsequent search was done on the suspects' hotel room following the Shakopee Police Department acquiring a search warrant where it was alleged they uncovered $7,000 in cash in the hotel room. Both men were taken into custody without incident. The suspects now face felony theft charges. The maximum sentence for this crime in Minnesota is up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $6,000 to $20,000.

Bail for both suspects was initially requested at $75,000 without conditions or $50,000 with conditions, including a ban on leaving the state and no contact between the suspects. However, the judge ultimately set bail at $75,000 without conditions or $25,000 with conditions. These charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Further updates on this case will depend on the progress of the legal proceedings.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities are looking into potential connections to similar crimes in other states, including Michigan. We can confirm that both men are believed to be from Venezuela.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on October 30, 2024, at 1:30 PM in Hastings, Minnesota.

Written by: Will Wight

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