A suspect linked to a series of ATM and bank robberies across California, Oregon, and Washington has been arrested in Newport Beach. Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced that Diego Ananias Arellano Diaz, also known as Fabio Cristian Hernandez, was taken into custody on July 29, 2025. He faces charges of bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery.
Court documents state that Arellano participated in a scheme between May and October 2024 where crew members targeted financial institutions by renting short-term properties near their targets and using vehicles obtained through black market sources. The group selected ATMs located in vulnerable spots, disguised themselves as construction workers, used blowtorches and cellphone jammers, and employed other advanced methods to break into the machines and steal cash. Over the course of the conspiracy, more than 29 banks and credit unions were hit with losses exceeding $4 million.
On October 31, 2024, a grand jury indicted 11 people for conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery. Arellano was initially charged under an alias before being identified by his real name in May 2025.
The San Ramon Police Department reported that Arellano is suspected of involvement in an ATM bombing and burglary at a Target store in San Ramon on July 20, 2025. Additionally, court records show he faces charges in Los Angeles Superior Court for assault with a deadly weapon under the name Fabio Hernandez.
Arellano remains in state custody while awaiting federal proceedings following the conclusion of state matters.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; police departments from Burbank, Citrus Heights, Clovis, Elk Grove, Fresno, Garden Grove, Modesto, Newport Beach, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, San Ramon; Placer County Sheriff’s Office; Los Angeles Police Department; Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office; Seattle Police Department; as well as assistance from U.S. Attorney’s Offices for several districts along the West Coast.
“If convicted,” officials said in the release,“the defendant face a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery and five years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Any sentence… would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines… The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
