San Diego, California – A San Diego man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court, admitting he used an explosive device to destroy a First Citizens Bank ATM in Rancho Bernardo last summer.
According to the plea agreement, Son Nguyen drove to the ATM in the early morning hours of June 28, 2024, and inserted a metal rod into the cash dispenser slot. He then removed the rod and replaced it with another wired device. When Nguyen pulled the attached wires, the device ignited, causing the ATM’s internal electrical components to catch fire. The machine was destroyed.
Smoke poured from the ATM for more than 30 minutes before San Diego police responded to a burglary alarm around 3:23 a.m. Officers arrived to find the machine burning, with electrical wires protruding and a U-shaped metal rod still attached. They also recovered blue material with a white and black valve near the machine…