June 04--A man who worked on ATMs pleaded guilty Thursday to bank larceny for stealing $168,174 in cash from an ATM at a LaGrange bank last August after disguising himself as a woman dressed in a burqa.
Gildardo Lopez Jr., 31, had recently serviced the machine at the Chase Bank branch at 14 S. LaGrange Road and knew it had a lot of cash, according to a plea agreement.
A co-worker had tipped authorities off to Lopez's plans, so FBI agents at the bank watched as he approached the ATM after midnight and emerged with the cash stuffed in a suitcase.
"In order to conceal his identity, Lopez wore women's clothing, makeup and a black burqa, covering his face and body," according to the plea agreement read in court. "Lopez also wore latex gloves to prevent leaving any fingerprints."
Co-defendant Douglas Pineda was arrested in the getaway van. He could plead guilty as soon as Friday.
U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo set sentencing for Sept. 10. Lopez faces up to about three years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, according to his plea agreement .
mmrodriguez@tribpub.com
