ATM Theft Ring ‘Leading Member’ Arrested: Middletown Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A leading member of an ATM theft ring has been arrested following a lengthy investigation, according to police.

Joanberto Rivera, 22, of New Britain, was arrested Oct. 29 on a 33-count warrant for corrupt organizations and racketeering activity, various burglary/larceny charges, and criminal mischief charges, according to Middletown police.

“During a year-long extensive investigation, Middletown Police detectives, working cooperatively with the New Britain Police Department, the FBI, and many other agencies, identified Joanberto Rivera as a leading member of an organization operating out of New Britain, CT that strategically targeted ATMs in commercial burglaries throughout CT,” police wrote in a news release. “Several of the burglaries had occurred at businesses in Middletown.”

Detectives from the Middletown Major Investigations Unit and Street Crime Unit found Rivera at his home in New Britain and took him into custody on the outstanding felony warrant, according to police.

Rivera was released after posting a $500,000 bond with a court date of Nov. 12.

“The Middletown Police Department will continue to investigate this organization targeting ATMs, and anticipates further arrests,” police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Middletown Police Department Major Investigations Unit at 860-638-4140.