DNA and PS5 Controller Lead to Arrest of South American Theft Group Suspects in Multi-State ATM Heists

TEMPE, AZ — A joint law enforcement investigation leveraging high-tech digital forensics and DNA analysis has culminated in the arrest of a Chilean national linked to a sophisticated South American theft group (SATG) operating across multiple states.

The suspect, identified in connection with a major ATM burglary in Tempe in late 2024, was taken into custody following a complex investigation that spanned several jurisdictions, including Arizona and Utah. Authorities believe the suspect belongs to an organized ring that targets financial institutions and retail ATMs nationwide.

A Digital Footprint: The PlayStation 5 Controller

The breakthrough in the multi-state investigation came from an unlikely source. During an ATM heist in early 2025, one of the burglars inadvertently left behind a Bluetooth-enabled PlayStation 5 game controller at the crime scene. Detectives from the Tempe Police Department, working alongside forensic specialists, extracted digital metadata and pairing history from the device. This digital footprint allowed investigators to trace the controller back to the suspects, establishing a clear link between robberies in Tempe, Tucson, and several other states.

DNA Evidence Seals the Arrest

In addition to the digital evidence, investigators recovered tools left behind at a Tempe ATM burglary scene. Forensic analysts extracted DNA samples from the handles of these tools, matching them to a database entry for a Chilean national. This physical match confirmed the identity of the suspect and highlighted the involvement of the South American theft group.

“These theft rings operate with high levels of organization, quickly moving from city to city and state to state to evade local law enforcement,” said a Tempe Police spokesperson. “The combination of physical DNA matching and the recovery of digital footprints from the video game controller was instrumental in stopping this group's destructive run.”

The suspect faces multiple felony counts, including burglary, criminal damage, and grand theft. Federal authorities are working with local police to determine if additional charges will be filed in other jurisdictions where the group is suspected of operating.