Minnesota Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing From ATMs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A former armored truck driver has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $182,000 from ATMs in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Thirty-one-year-old Christopher James Diestler (DEEST'-lur) of Fergus Falls pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of bank larceny.

In his plea agreement, Diestler admitted that from March 2005 through March 15, 2012, he stole about $182,350 from bank ATMs in Alexandria, Breckenridge, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls and Morris, Minn., and Wahpeton, N.D.

ATM currency is dispensed from cassettes that are installed in the machines. Diestler admitted taking cash from those cassettes. Prosecutors say he would then replace the missing funds with currency taken from another ATM, so any audit would not reveal the thefts.

Diestler faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing has not been set yet.