Walnut Creek police said they arrested a suspected ATM burglar as well as a female accomplice in a Lennon Lane office building Sunday, the suspect allegedly attempting to elude police by crawling into a false ceiling after cracking a portable money machine.
Police said they were called to the Yosemite Building of the Kaiser offices at 320 Lennon Lane at approximately 6:30 p.m. by someone reporting a man attempting to steal money from an ATM machine – the individual using a crowbar in an attempt to crack the machine.
Sgt. David Rangel, in a statement released by the department Sunday evening, reported that Walnut Creek police officers were on the scene within three minutes of the call, established a perimeter and – while searching the building – found Kurt Kaumans, 47, of Pleasant Hill hiding behind the drop ceiling tiles of the company lunchroom, a crowbar abandoned near the ATM.
Photo, right: Police say a Pleasant Hill man managed to crack an ATM machine Sunday, but was forced to drop his crowbar when Walnut Creek police arrived on the scene. WCPD photo.
Rangel said Kaumans had cash from the machine on him as he was taken into custody. The Pleasant Hill resident has since been identified as the person responsible for two previous attempts to crack the same ATM, police said.
Kaumans was arrested for three separate counts of commercial burglary to the same business, possession of stolen property, felony vandalism, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy and resisting arrest.
While officers were conducting the building search for the burglar, officers outside spotted a car circling the area. A traffic stop was conducted and the female driver was identified as Suzanne Breatt, 37, of Concord. Breatt allegedly had Kauman’s California driver’s license with her and was carrying binoculars and additional burglary tools. Officers also determined she had been speaking with Kaumans via a cell phone. Breatt was arrested for conspiracy, possession of burglary tools and driving on a suspended license.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844.
