Suspects ID'd in Attempted ATM Robbery of Grossmont Center Bank

The San Diego Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the following announcement on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012:

Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI, 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, at approximately 2:30 a.m., as the result of a bank burglary investigation, involving the located at 5505 Grossmont Center Drive, 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 and November 28, FBI agents observed Armstrong, Hultz and Murry meeting with each other and travelling 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 ten to fifteen 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 appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Thursday, November 29, 2012.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.