Suspect Tries to Steal Cash from Change Machine through Large Hole Dug in Wall
Steven Hemmingson
MILPITAS, Calif — The Milpitas Police Department announced the arrest of a 36-year-old San Jose resident, who was suspected of targeting a change machine at a local laundry mat.
According to Milpitas Police Lieutenant Raj Mahara, “On Thursday, June 30 at approximately 4:44 A.M., an intuitive customer heard ‘banging’ noises from the rear of the change machine inside the Coin-Op Laundry, located at 588 North Abel Street in Milpitas.”
After receiving a 911 call from the customer, police maintained a perimeter around the building after what they believed was a burglary in progress.
Milpitas Police Officers responding to the scene put together a search team before entering the business. Mahara said, “a male suspect maneuvered to the rear of the building and crawled out through a small hole in the rear ventilation.” Once the suspect was visible, officers took 36-year-old Steven Hemmingson into custody.
Once Hemmingson was secured in the back seat of a police vehicle, it was soon discovered that he had dug a large hole in the wall near the ventilation system and was trying to steal money from a nearby coin machine. During the investigation officers located several tools that the suspect had been using to gain access to the change machine.
A background check on Hemmingson revealed that he is currently on parole for aggravated battery.
Hemmingson was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail for burglary, possession of burglary tools, and parole violation.
