Transient Charged with Burglary After Cheating Banks
A Los Angeles transient was arrested for burglary by San Luis Obispo police after he allegedly exchanged dime coin rolls filled with pennies at two local banks. The suspect capped the ends with dimes.
Carl Bellenir
According to a press release from SLOPD, the suspect, Carl Bellenir 48, transient of Los Angeles entered Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, located at 995 Higuera Street, on Tuesday with rolled coins to exchange for cash.
According to police, the coin rolls, which were supposed to be filled with dimes, were filled with pennies resulting in a loss from the bank.
Police say Bellenir returned to Santa Barbara Bank and Trust on Wednesday around 10:19 a.m. to exchange rolled coins, but an employee opened one of the rolls and called 911 to report the crime.
Bellenir left Santa Barbara Bank and Trust and went straight to Bank of America while officers were in route to the area, where he committed the same crime.
Police say the witnesses provided a good description and several officers saturated the area.
An officer located Bellenir a few blocks away on a bike.
Police say Bellenir was in possession of more change to continue his crime spree at local banks.
Bellenir was booked into county jail for the burglary and is being held on $20,000 bail.
Read More:
San Luis Obispo Tribune: Man Tricked SLO Bank Tellers with Penny-Filled Dime Rolls
Cal Coast News: Man Defrauds Two SLO Banks With Coin Swapping Scheme
