Colorado Springs man charged after investigation into string of burglaries, vehicle thefts and ATM thefts
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A months-long investigation into a series of commercial burglaries, vehicle thefts and ATM thefts across southern Colorado has led to the arrest of a 42-year-old Colorado Springs man, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).
CSPD says the investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, began when a series of commercial burglaries occurred in Colorado Springs between July 4 and July 7. Police say during the burglaries, the suspect forcibly entered the businesses and attempted to remove ATMs using a stolen U-Haul.
According to police, the U-Haul was used on July 8 at a convenience store burglary in Florissant. CSPD says the owner encountered the suspect vehicle leaving the scene and immediately reported it to law enforcement.
Teller County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle, and the suspect crashed near Deer Ridge Trail during a pursuit. Law enforcement says the suspect ran and was not located.
Police say the criminal pattern resumed on Aug. 6 when a second U-Haul was stolen, and the suspect attempted another ATM theft at a business in the 6800 block of North Centennial Boulevard. The suspect then stole another vehicle from a commercial business in Pueblo on Aug. 27, according to CSPD.
Police say detectives identified the suspect who stole the vehicle in Pueblo as 42‑year‑old James Garcia. According to CSPD, Garcia and his girlfriend, 39-year-old Susannah Wachlin, were both charged in connection with the Pueblo vehicle theft.
A search of their residence linked Garcia to multiple burglaries and thefts across the region, CSPD says.
On Sept. 23, Garcia was charged with the following, according to police:
- Eight counts of second‑degree burglary
- One count of attempted second‑degree burglary
- Three counts of motor vehicle theft
- Vehicular eluding
- Two counts of criminal mischief
According to law enforcement, Garcia's criminal history includes several felony convictions dating back to 2017, and he is currently on parole for a 2019 incident in which he used a stolen vehicle to steal an ATM. Garcia is also on federal probation for a 2018 gun store burglary, says CSPD.
Anyone with information on this series of related cases is asked to call CSPD at (719) 444-7000 or, to remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
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