Three sentenced in Wood County ATM robbery attempt

Published 5:21 pm Friday, December 13, 2024

YANTIS — Three people were found guilty and ordered to pay restitution after robbing an ATM using a U-Haul truck.

According to the Wood County District Attorney’s Office, deputies responded to a call at the City National Bank in Yantis. They reported finding an ATM had been damaged with concrete broken up in the parking lot, as well as a large tow hook near the damaged machine.

Bank officials located a U-Haul truck across the street, which was still running with damage to the ignition.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for cell phone tower data and were able to identify three suspects: Travion Daitral Price, Dante LaCharles Fagan and Shanquet McCray.

On Aug. 16, Price pleaded guilty to theft of property and sentenced to 12 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and $32,958.80 to the City National Bank.



Fagan pleaded guilty to theft of property on Nov. 21 and was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines plus $32,958.80 in restitution to CNB.

McCray pleaded guilty to organized criminal activity on Nov. 21 and was sentenced to five years deferred adjudication probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus restitution. but challenged the amount of restitution requested by CNB.

The DA’s Office called CNB Manager Ammie Saucier as a witness, who testified the ATM was destroyed beyond repair and all the cash had been taken. She further testified she had never seen an ATM destroyed and all funds stolen before this crime.

Tony Cook, Chief of Operations for City National Bank also took the stand to testify on the loss to CNB, advising that although insurance paid $61,600 to the bank on the loss, the bank was still out $32,958.80 after the bank paid a deductible on the claim. CNB was also required to purchase a new ATM, which cost $50,000. Cook finally advised the total restitution requested by CNB was $32,958.80 to cover the cost CNB lost during the theft.

After evidence was presented by the State and defense, a judge ordered McCray to pay $32,958.80 to CNB on Dec. 5.