Second Orlando Man sentenced for burglarizing ATM, stealing $116,000

FLORIDA – A second Florida man has been sentenced for burglarizing an ATM in Orlando.

Wendell Harp, 24, of Orlando, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. for bank burglary and bank theft in connection with the destruction of an ATM.

Harp pleaded guilty on December 16, 2022.

He is the second defendant sentenced in this case. Dalton previously sentenced Carlos Tawan Reed, Jr., 23, of Orlando, to four years and three months in federal prison for the same offense. A third individual, Deontrae Walden, 23, of Orlando, has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

According to court records, Harp, Reed, and Walden wrapped a chain around an ATM at a Chase Bank on Colonial Drive in Orlando. Using a stolen F-250 truck, the men destroyed the casing of the ATM and stole the cash boxes inside, containing $116,650.

The three men reportedly fled in a rental car driven by Reed.

Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office pursued them on the ground and in the air. Reed reportedly failed to stop and led police on a high-speed chase, which ended when deputies deployed spike strips and disabled the car.

All three men then attempted to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended. Inside the vehicle, police recovered all of the stolen money.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Felicetta is prosecuting it.