Three men have been apprehended in connection with a high-profile ATM theft that took place on Christmas Eve in White Settlement, Texas. The arrests follow an extensive investigation conducted over several months by multiple law enforcement agencies across North Texas.
The suspects, now facing first-degree felony charges, are accused of using a stolen SUV to forcibly drag an ATM from a convenience store, an event that attracted millions of views on social media. Fortunately, all cash from the machine was recovered after it became dislodged during the suspects’ escape. Authorities are also linking these individuals to similar criminal activities in the area.
Details of the Incident
On December 24, 2025, at approximately 3:44 a.m., the White Settlement Police Department responded to reports of a broken window at a convenience store located on South Cherry Lane. As officers arrived, they received further information indicating that an ATM theft was in progress.
The investigation was sparked by a viral surveillance video that showcased a black SUV dragging the ATM through the storefront. All three suspects—identified as 28-year-old Jay Gerard Jones Jr., 26-year-old Aaron Tre Vuentae Rabon Alex, and 24-year-old Bronya Keshawn Freeman—are currently held at the Tarrant County Jail.
The Sequence of Events
During the early hours of Christmas Eve, two men in a stolen SUV rammed through the front doors of the convenience store. One suspect entered the premises, attached a metal cable to the ATM, and signaled the driver to pull the machine out. On their second attempt, the suspects successfully extracted the ATM, leaving behind a trail of debris and shattered glass.
As they attempted to flee westbound on the Interstate 30 service road, the ATM became detached from the vehicle, allowing police to later recover it from a nearby culvert.
Investigation Developments
Within 24 hours of the theft, the case began to take shape following extensive media coverage. A credible tip was provided to Tarrant County Crime Stoppers, leading to the identification of one of the primary suspects.
White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook praised his team’s swift investigative efforts, stating, “Outstanding work on connecting the dots quickly by our investigative team. I knew from the onset that this would be an extensive case investigation requiring collaboration and partnerships to bring those responsible to justice.”
The White Settlement Police Department collaborated with the Texas Rangers, Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, and various police departments from Fort Worth, Dallas, Bedford, Euless, and Grapevine to connect this theft with other similar crimes in the region.
Jones Jr. was arrested on March 8, while Alex and Freeman were taken into custody on March 24. Police disclosed that each suspect had specific roles during the heist: one was responsible for hooking the chain to the ATM, another drove the stolen SUV, and a third operated a separate getaway vehicle that bore stolen license plates.
Legal Proceedings
The police confirmed that all cash from the recovered ATM was successfully secured. Other law enforcement agencies in North Texas have also filed additional charges against the suspects related to offenses in their jurisdictions. Bond amounts have been set at $250,000 for Alex, $25,000 for Freeman, and $10,000 for Jones Jr.
