Armored Truck Driver Who Stole $900,000 Sentenced

WETHERSFIELD, CT — A former armored truck driver who was arrested in Wethersfield after stealing more than $900,000 has been sentenced to 37 months in prison, FOX 61 reported. Mark Nicholas Espinosa will also serve two years of supervised release, according to a statement from federal prosecutors.

Espinosa stole the money from his employer GardaWorld in Louisvile, KY. He was charged by a Louisville Grand Jury in February with theft from a common carrier, bank robbery, interstate transportation of stolen money, monetary transactions involving stolen money, and money laundering.

On Dec. 5, 2018, Espinosa was working with a partner in a bullet-proof armored truck, collecting money from various Louisville businesses, according to the statement. He and a coworker arrived at Jefferson Mall in Louisville.

Espinosa's partner told Espinosa that he would pick up cash from customers inside the mall, and that Espinosa should drive the truck and meet him at the exit on the other side of the Mall. When Espinosa's partner finished his pick-ups and exited the mall, Espinosa was not there.

Shortly thereafter the Garda World truck was found abandoned in the mall parking lot. Espinosa was missing, but his gun, backpack, and cell phone battery were located inside the truck. Also missing was $932,285.22 in cash from the back of the truck.

Espinosa stole the money and fled Kentucky to Connecticut, driving through Ohio and Pennsylvania. Espinosa was ultimately arrested in Connecticut, living under the name Sam Smith, and $892,737.89 was found in Espinosa's Connecticut apartment, according to the statement.