Bank Burglary Ring Busted in Orlando

ORLANDO, FL – In a brazen heist, three men wrapped a chain around an ATM at a Chase Bank on Colonial Drive in Orlando, causing over $116,000 in damages. The men, Wendell Harp, Carlos Tawan Reed, Jr., and Deontrae Walden, were caught on camera fleeing the scene in a stolen F-250 truck and a rental car.

According to court records, the men used the stolen truck to destroy the ATM’s casing, stealing the cash boxes inside. They then fled in the rental car driven by Reed, leading deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on a high-speed chase. The chase ended when deputies deployed spike strips, disabling the car and apprehending the trio.

Inside the vehicle, police recovered all of the stolen money, valued at $116,650. The men were subsequently arrested and charged with bank burglary and theft.

Harp, 24, pleaded guilty on December 16, 2022, and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. This is the second defendant sentenced in the case. Carlos Tawan Reed, Jr., 23, was previously sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.

A third individual, Deontrae Walden, 23, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, with Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta prosecuting.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The program focuses on fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.

As the Grimy Times continues to expose the dark underbelly of our cities, we remind our readers that bank burglary and theft are serious crimes with severe consequences. We will continue to follow this case and bring you updates as more information becomes available.

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