FBI and La Mesa Police Department Arrest Three San Diego Men on Bank Burglary Charges
Arrested in Process of Stealing Chase Bank ATM

Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI Field Office, announces the arrests of Archie Thomas Armstrong, III, age 34; Marcus Anthony Hultz, age 30; and Fred Murry, III, age 31, on federal bank burglary charges.

Armstrong, Hultz, and Murry were arrested on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at approximately 2:30 a.m. as the result of a bank burglary investigation involving the attempted theft of a Chase Bank automated teller machine (ATM) located at 5505 Grossmont Center Drive in La Mesa, California.

In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, Armstrong, Hultz, and Murry are charged specifically with violation of Title 18, United States Code- Section 2113(b) bank burglary.

According to the complaint, on or about and between November 27, 2012 and November 28, 2012, FBI agents observed Armstrong, Hultz, and Murry meeting with each other and traveling in tandem in their vehicles over the course of several hours within San Diego County.

At approximately 2:20 a.m., agents observed Murry driving a Nissan Altima in the vicinity of the ATM. Murry drove past the ATM several times and subsequently parked a short distance away. Hultz exited the vehicle, walked towards the ATM, and then hid behind a dumpster and vegetation. Armstrong was observed in the area of the bank driving a flat-bed tow truck.

At approximately 2:30 a.m., Armstrong and Hultz were arrested after they placed the ATM on the flat-bed tow truck, using a chain. The ATM was carried approximately 10 to 15 feet from its original secured position onto the flat-bed tow truck. Armstrong was arrested by FBI SWAT Team agents inside of the tow truck. Hultz ran from the scene and was arrested a short time later hiding in a stairwell by FBI SWAT Team agents.

Murry fled from the scene in the Nissan Altima but was subsequently arrested by La Mesa Police Department (LMPD) Officers. LMPD conducted a felony car stop in the course of arresting Murry.

All three men were booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) and expected to have their initial appearances before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Thursday, November 29, 2012. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 565-1255.

An arrest warrant itself is not evidence that the defendants committed the crimes charged. The defendants are presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.