The Audacious Excavator Heist: Clackamas Man Sentenced for Violent Bank ATM Theft

A Clackamas man has been handed a significant federal prison sentence following an audacious and destructive bank ATM theft in October 2021, where he utilized a stolen excavator to rip the machine from its foundation. Darryle Lee Johnson, 43, will now serve four and a half years behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release, and is ordered to pay $11,000 in restitution for his dramatic crime.

The saga unfolded in the early morning hours of October 10, 2021, when Johnson’s elaborate scheme began with the theft of a large excavator from a construction site in Clackamas.

What followed was a spectacle of destruction as Johnson, operating the heavy machinery, drove it directly to a nearby US Bank branch. In a brazen act, he maneuvered the excavator to precisely tear an ATM from the exterior of the bank building, leaving a trail of debris and structural damage in its wake.

Witnesses reported the shocking scene, prompting a rapid response from law enforcement.

As deputies converged on the location, they found Johnson attempting to force open the stolen ATM with a torch, clearly intent on accessing the cash within. Upon the arrival of police, Johnson abandoned his efforts and fled the scene, leaving behind the stolen excavator and the damaged ATM.

Investigators quickly launched a manhunt, and their efforts paid off.

Later that same day, authorities successfully located and apprehended Johnson at a local motel, bringing an end to his short-lived escape.

Johnson’s sentencing reflects not only the severity of the ATM theft but also his criminal history. Notably, he had previously been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for a bank fraud conviction, underscoring a pattern of financial crimes.

This latest conviction adds to his record, ensuring a substantial period of incarceration for his destructive actions.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to commit theft, and the commitment of law enforcement and the justice system to hold them accountable, even against the backdrop of highly unusual and dramatic criminal acts.