A Susquehanna County man repeatedly stole money from ATMs in the region while working as a service technician, Lackawanna County detectives charge.
Kenneth William Vangorder of Kingsley went to service ATMs, even though service calls had not been placed, and removed cash from them, according to a criminal complaint. Video surveillance shows Vangorder removing money from ATMs at multiple locations, totaling more than $100,000, detectives said.
He tried to avoid detection by reprogramming the ATMs to make it appear they contained less cash, but the company that owns them can track reprogramming attempts, detectives said.
CCJ Ventures LLC/Upstate Amusement LLC filed a complaint with the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office and Scranton Police Department regarding the thefts. Owner Christopher Pisano said the company uncovered approximately $500,000 in thefts from ATMs in Lackawanna County since July 2024 and identified Vangorder as a suspect.
Specifically, Pisano said Vangorder removed money from an ATM at the Throop VFW every Tuesday, detectives said.
Lackawanna County detectives conducted surveillance at the VFW on June 24 and saw Vangorder enter the property at 5:05 p.m., even though there wasn’t a service call, police said. Vangorder opened the ATM, removed the cash box and appeared to put something in his left rear pocket, according to the criminal complaint. When Pisano reviewed the log for the day, he determined Vangorder removed $2,000 from the ATM, investigators said.
Vangorder, who was hired in February 2024, was given a black 2019 Hyundai Tucson to use on business calls. On June 26, a GPS tracking device was placed on Vangorder’s work vehicle. He accepted three service calls from CCJ, but only completed one call, police said.
Vangorder also traveled to three locations June 26 where there were no service calls and removed a total of $10,000 from ATMs, detectives said.
An investigations analyst for Citizens Bank in South Abington Twp. told detectives Vangorder deposited $8,000 on June 26 into an account that was flagged due to multiple large cash deposits, police said.
ATMs at the Fawn Lake Beach House, Hawley; the Sidelines Bar, Factoryville; Shoprite of Daleville, Covington Twp.; AJ’S Bar, Carbondale; and Bigsy’s Bar & Grille and Farr Street Tavern, Scranton, were also targeted, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators believe Vangorder used a company-owned cellphone and two business apps that provided him with detailed information for ATMs owned by CCJ Ventures, including how much cash was in the machines.
Police charged Vangorder, 10527 state Route 106, with dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking and access device fraud.
Vangorder, 32, remained in Lackawanna County Prison on Tuesday in lieu of $750,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for July 16 at 10:30 a.m.