Man loses leg trying to swipe cash machine

Suspect's prosthetic leg falls off during bungled theft attempt

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updated 9:20 a.m. ET April 11, 2007

POMONA, Calif. - A man accused of using a chain and pickup truck to yank a 1,500-pound ATM from a market failed to escape police when his prosthetic leg fell off during the getaway.

Gregory Daniels, 48, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary for the attempted heist from Pomona Ranch Market, police said.

Authorities say Daniels and another man drove up to the market about 3 a.m., smashed a window, wrapped a chain around the ATM and used the pickup to rip it from the floor. After loading the cash machine into the truck, the pair drove off.

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Officers chased the truck into a residential neighborhood, where the men drove into a dead-end street. Daniels’ alleged accomplice fled, but police said Daniels wasn’t able to escape.

“Daniels was on the ground near the vehicle in an attempt to flee from officers,” Sgt. E. Vazquez said. “However, he was unsuccessful, as his prosthetic leg fell off.”

The ATM and its cash were recovered. The assistant manager of the Pomona Ranch Market, Tom Zvoda, said he didn’t know how much money was inside.