In a bizarre turn of events, a Florida man’s attempt to burglarize a bank was thwarted in a series of blunders that were captured on video.
Colton Vanhonhenstein, 33, was caught on security cameras purchasing a face mask at a gas station before walking across the street to a Wells Fargo bank branch in an ill-fated burglary attempt.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred on Saturday, June 15. Vanhonhenstein, seeking to conceal his identity, bought a mask and then proceeded to the bank, which was closed but inexplicably left unlocked. Surveillance footage shows him entering the bank, only to trigger the alarm system.
The Wells Fargo Bank alarm security system immediately notified the sheriff’s office of a “bank robbery in-progress,” also informing them that the intruder was masked. However, there was a critical delay in the alarm system’s notification, which did not alert law enforcement for at least an hour. By the time deputies arrived on the scene, Vanhonhenstein had already fled.
Despite his quick getaway, the security footage from both the gas station and the bank helped deputies identify and locate Vanhonhenstein. He was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary. Ironically, the only item he managed to take was the five-dollar mask he purchased to hide his identity.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office commented on the incident, noting the irony of the situation: “He was charged with burglary despite the fact that the only thing he walked away with was the mask that set him back five bucks.”
The case has prompted further investigation into why the bank’s doors were left unlocked and the cause of the delayed response from the alarm monitoring company. These procedural lapses have raised concerns about security measures at the bank, which allowed an intruder to enter and attempt a burglary without immediate detection.
This incident highlights not only the criminal actions of Vanhonhenstein but also significant lapses in security protocol. It serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent security measures and timely responses from alarm systems to prevent such breaches.
As the investigation continues, officials are looking into potential oversights by the bank and the alarm monitoring company to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Vanhonhenstein’s ill-conceived plan and subsequent arrest underscore the unpredictable nature of criminal activity and the often unexpected outcomes that can arise from poor planning and execution.
