Armored truck company employee pleads guilty to stealing cash meant for ATMs

COLUMBUS, Ohio - An employee of an armored truck company that delivered cash to bank branches and ATMs pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to embezzling money as a bank agent.

Justin Eskridge, 37, of Reynoldsburg, admitted he took more than $220,000 from PNC ATMs. Eskridge was employed as an armed service technician for Loomis LLC and delivered cash for and to federally insured financial institutions. Loomis contracted with PNC Bank to transport money to various ATMs and bank branches.

Eskridge was employed with Loomis beginning in July 2021 and transported bags of money by armored vehicle to various PNC branches and ATMs. The thefts began around Dec. 14, 2022, and continued through Jan. 9, 2023.

PNC bank tellers reported shortages totaling approximately $226,000 cash when they balanced the residual amounts on certain ATMs. An investigation by Loomis identified Eskridge as the technician servicing that route.

Eskridge eventually admitted to Loomis that he had taken the money and led Loomis to recover approximately $144,000 cash hidden in his car. As part of his plea, he will pay the remaining balance to Loomis.

Theft or embezzlement by a bank employee or agent is a federal crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence, and sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz is representing the United States in this case.

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