Burglar caught in Hawaii after breaking into SLO County ATMs

January 15, 2016

A Bay Area man allegedly stole cash from ATMs in Northern California and San Luis Obispo County late last year and then arrived in Hawaii in time to ring in the new year. But, on New Year’s Eve, Honolulu police arrested the serial burglar, and he is now in San Luis Obispo County Jail.

Antioch resident Tyrone Brennen, 30, would enter businesses by removing an exterior window. Then he would locate the ATM, cut into it using an angle grinder and remove the money from the machine, according to a SLO County Sheriff’s Office news release.

Brennen is linked to at least eight burglaries in El Dorado, Placer and Nevada counties, which occurred between Nov. 13 and early December. He allegedly committed six burglaries in SLO County between Dec. 15 and Dec. 30.

The SLO County burglaries occurred in Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and unincorporated SLO County. Two of the six took place in Morro Bay, and two occurred in unincorporated areas.

Just a day after completing the SLO County heists, Brennen was caught in Hawaii, according to the press release.

Detectives identified Brennen using DNA. San Luis Obispo police detectives, who were investigating similar burglaries that occurred in 2012, helped identify Brennen.

Investigators tracked Brennen to Hawaii with the assistance of Honolulu police.

Deputies booked Brennen in San Luis Obispo County Jail on Jan. 8. He is charged with 10 counts of burglary, one county of felony vandalism and two counts of possessing stolen property, according to the sheriff’s office press release.

His bail is set at $40,000.