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CPSO: Motorcycle gang leader arrested in ATM thefts

Posted at 12:00 PM, Nov 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-14 13:00:18-05

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office says that the leader of a motorcycle gang has been arrested in connection with ATM thefts in Calcasieu Parish.

44-year-old Michael L. Cupp of Dayton, Texas was arrested on Tuesday, November 12 after detectives learned of his involvement in a pair of ATM thefts in Westlake.

Deputies say Cupp is the leader of the B*EAST Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

Cupp was booked into the Liberty County Jail in Texas on a charge of racketeering.

His bond is set at $15,000.

The investigation began on July 13 when deputies began learned of the theft of an ATM from a bank parking lot on Sampson Street in Westlake.

Several weeks later, on August 3, deputies were dispatched to a second bank on Sampson Street in Westlake where another ATM was reported missing from a bank parking lot.

Deputies say that both incidents were related and that the suspects stole over $150,000 from both ATMs.

Six individuals were arrested with those thefts:

  • Melvin Cupp, 46, Spring, Texas
  • Brandon Hightower, 33, Humble, Texas
  • Hosea Owens IV, 28, Alvin, Texas
  • Joshua Leroy Fontenot, 44, Denham Springs, LA
  • Christopher Scott, 44, Lake Jackson, Texas
  • Faith Breaux, 27, Beaumont, Texas

All six were arrested between September 23 and 26 and booked on charges of theft of a motor vehicle over $25,000; theft of a motor vehicle $5,000 to $25,000; 2 counts of simple criminal damage to property $1,000 to $25,000; theft less than $5,000 over $1,000; 2 counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; obstruction of justice; simple arson; 3 counts of criminal trespassing; 4 counts of unauthorized entry of a place of business; 4 counts of theft over $25,000; 4 counts of simple criminal damage to property; unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure; and racketeering.

The investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely.

For more on the ATM theft arrests: Deputies arrest five, seeking two other members of a motorcycle gang for recent ATM thefts