New York Detectives Nab Suspect In Thefts Of 100 Bulk Vending Machines

NEW YORK CITY -- The New York City Police Department has apprehended a thief who has been targeting bulk vending machines in locations for the past several months. Jason Bietsch, 39, was arrested by NYPD detectives of the 40th Precinct. He resides in Scarsdale, NY, a Westchester suburb.

"'Gumball Bandit' Jason Bietsch caught by 40 Burglary Team & Detectives after stealing over 100 machines Bronx-wide!" the NYPD tweeted.

According to law enforcement officials, Biestch allegedly sold the machines to maintain a drug habit. He was arrested Feb. 19 during a visit to his parole officer in White Plains, NY. Click here to see photos at the Daily News.

Bietsch and an accomplice were notable for both the number of machines they stole and the "professional" approach they used. Pretending to be vending company employees who were making a service call to replace machines, the pair calmly walked out of locations carrying the venders without incident, according to reports. Vending Times broke the story last month. | SEE STORY

It was during one such theft at a Bronx laundromat that the manager became suspicious. Chasing Bietsch out onto the sidewalk, the manager caught a glimpse of the license plate on his SUV, which included the memorable G-U-M, along with four numbers.

Bietsch is accused of three bulk vending heists, but authorities suspect he could be involved in dozens of thefts in which more than 100 machines were stolen. He is being prosecuted by the Bronx District Attorney.

He was held on $3,000 bail, and pleaded not guilty to petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. A second defendant, Raymond Congro, 56, was held on $6,000 bail for his alleged participation in the crime spree and an outstanding warrant.

"We're talking about a nonviolent situation, the removal of gumball machines," Bietsch's attorney, Elana Silberman, told Judge Kim Wilson. "At this point in time, he's only charged with stealing one gumball machine in one location."

A third defendant, Bietsch's girlfriend, may still be at large. According to a news reports, Congra's wife identified the girlfriend as the accomplice in the thefts.