The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office says that the leader of a motorcycle gang has been arrested in connection with ATM thefts in Calcasieu Parish.
44-year-old Michael L. Cupp of Dayton, Texas was arrested on Tuesday, November 12 after detectives learned of his involvement in a pair of ATM thefts in Westlake.
Deputies say Cupp is the leader of the B*EAST Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
Cupp was booked into the Liberty County Jail in Texas on a charge of racketeering.
His bond is set at $15,000.
The investigation began on July 13 when deputies began learned of the theft of an ATM from a bank parking lot on Sampson Street in Westlake.
Several weeks later, on August 3, deputies were dispatched to a second bank on Sampson Street in Westlake where another ATM was reported missing from a bank parking lot.
Deputies say that both incidents were related and that the suspects stole over $150,000 from both ATMs.
Six individuals were arrested with those thefts:
- Melvin Cupp, 46, Spring, Texas
- Brandon Hightower, 33, Humble, Texas
- Hosea Owens IV, 28, Alvin, Texas
- Joshua Leroy Fontenot, 44, Denham Springs, LA
- Christopher Scott, 44, Lake Jackson, Texas
- Faith Breaux, 27, Beaumont, Texas
All six were arrested between September 23 and 26 and booked on charges of theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000; theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000; 2 counts of simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $25,000; theft less than $5,000 over $1,000; 2 counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; obstruction of justice; simple arson; 3 counts of criminal trespassing; 4 counts of unauthorized entry of a place of business; 4 counts of theft over $25,000; 4 counts of simple criminal damage to property; unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure; and racketeering.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely.
For more on the ATM theft arrests: Deputies arrest five, seeking two other members of a motorcycle gang for recent ATM thefts
