Coin-Op Crook: Vegas Man Gets 4 Years for Change Heist

Richard Anthony Pena, 34, of Las Vegas, isn’t just short on cash – he’s short on freedom. The man was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison this week for a brazen, multi-state scheme to rip off coin-cashing machines. Pena didn’t bother with guns or violence; his weapon of choice was a fake uniform and a whole lot of nerve.

From January 2021 to December 2021, Pena traveled from Las Vegas as far as Vancouver, Washington, posing as a service technician for a legitimate coin-cashing company. He’d stroll into grocery stores and other businesses, convincingly impersonating an employee before quietly cracking open the machines and hauling away the coin vaults. It wasn’t a smash-and-grab; it was calculated, methodical theft.

The scale of Pena’s operation is staggering. He systematically targeted machines across multiple states, racking up total losses and damages exceeding $715,000 for the victim company. Think about that: mountains of quarters, dimes, and nickels, all pilfered by one man with a knack for disguise. He wasn’t just stealing money, he was stealing time and resources from legitimate businesses.

The gig finally came crashing down in Vancouver, Washington. A sharp-eyed grocery store employee spotted Pena’s suspicious activity and alerted authorities. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office moved in, arresting Pena and searching his rented vehicle and hotel room. The evidence was overwhelming: the fake uniform, the tools used to breach the machines, and – crucially – laundry baskets and bags overflowing with stolen coins. Millions of them.

Federal prosecutors didn’t mess around. Pena was hit with a 48-month federal prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. But the punishment doesn’t stop there. Pena is also on the hook for roughly $582,000 in restitution – meaning he’ll be paying back his victims long after he’s out of prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quinn P. Harrington handled the prosecution, with key investigative work provided by the FBI and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

This wasn’t some impulsive act. Pena planned this for over a year, exploiting a vulnerability in a system designed for convenience. It’s a reminder that even seemingly low-tech crimes can yield substantial profits – and carry serious consequences. Consider this a warning: crime doesn’t pay, especially when the feds are involved. And for those coin machine technicians? Maybe it’s time to tighten up security.