SEATTLE — Scott Marcus Rhodes, 30, has been arrested as the ringleader of a $1 million ATM burglary ring that used stolen vehicles and construction equipment to break into and steal multiple ATMs, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) announced on Tuesday.
On February 19, local and federal authorities arrested Rhodes after a thorough investigation that began in October 2024, following a series of burglaries involving the theft and dismantling of large safes and ATMs. According to SPD, the crew of four suspects employed stolen vehicles and fire department “jaws of life” tools to break into safes and take the cash inside.
The crime spree was carefully planned, with the stolen vehicles being taken days before the burglaries. Seattle police estimate the total value of stolen goods to be around $1 million, with property damage amounting to $500,000.
Court documents reveal that Rhodes and his crew are linked to several high-profile ATM thefts, including incidents at BECU in Fremont, Wells Fargo in Magnolia and Greenwood, and another BECU location in South Seattle. Authorities are still investigating whether the SODO Kemp’s Cannabis dispensary burglary is related to the group’s activities.
The operation came to a head when investigators identified Rhodes and spotted him in his car in Edgewood, Pierce County. When authorities attempted to arrest him, Rhodes allegedly tried to flee through the sunroof of his car but dropped a large bag of cocaine before being apprehended by a K9 unit.
Rhodes was arrested by a collaborative effort from the Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Kent Police Department, Department of Corrections, and the Attorney General’s Office. He was booked into King County Jail on charges including three counts of first-degree theft, three counts of malicious mischief, two counts of second-degree burglary, and two counts of possession of burglary tools. He also faces additional charges related to rape, assault, and kidnapping.
His bail was set at $225,000, and he is scheduled to enter a plea on March 5 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
