Three Men Charged in Thefts of ATM Machines in Ozark, Springfield

Three men from Texas have been charged in connection with ATM Thefts that occurred last fall.

According to the news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri, Nigel Dwane Luchin, 27, and Leo Smith, 21, both of Houston were charged several months ago while Christopher E. Merchant, 24, of Beaumont was added to the list of people charged last week. 

The three are alleged to have been involved in the thefts from October and November of 2023, stealing money from an ATV at the Wood & Hutson Bank in Springfield and later at Southern Bank in Ozark. Vehicles were stolen on two different occasions to aid in breaking into the ATMs, one from a parking lot in Springfield and another from a lot in Nixa. Video surveillance footage and evidence found by Ozark Police in one of the stolen vehicles led authorities to the suspects, who are alleged to have stolen over $30,000 from the ATM at Southern Bank.