February 12, 2026
An investigation that began in Sumner County late last year has led to the arrest of a suspect authorities believe may be connected to ATM theft attempts and financial crimes across multiple states.
According to local law enforcement, the case started on December 20, 2025, when the Gallatin Police Department issued a BOLO alert to surrounding agencies regarding a suspect and vehicle connected to an attempted felony ATM theft in Gallatin.
Police say officers responded to an alarm at a Simmons Bank location just after 5:30 p.m. Security footage reportedly showed a suspect attempting to break into the ATM. Investigators believe the individual smeared petroleum jelly on the camera lens in an effort to avoid identification. While the suspect did not gain access to the money inside the machine, authorities say the ATM door was breached and the internal hard drive was damaged.
Later that evening, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers with the Hendersonville Police Department located a vehicle matching the BOLO description on East Main Street near Cherokee Road. Officers conducted a traffic stop and found tools inside the vehicle that investigators believe were used in the attempted ATM theft.
After the stop, Hendersonville officers began checking financial institutions throughout the city and determined that two local bank locations in Hendersonville had also been targeted.
Police arrested Christian Delgado Arroyave, 34, of Houston, Texas, in connection with the investigation. He faces multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of attempted theft over $60,000
- Three counts of vandalism over $1,000
- One count of burglary
Authorities say the arrest may be connected to a much larger investigation. Detectives believe the suspect could be linked to multiple felony theft cases across several states, including incidents reported from Texas to Kentucky. Law enforcement officials estimate the crimes associated with the investigation may involve millions of dollars in losses.
Hendersonville Police credited the cooperation between agencies and the quick response by officers for helping stop additional crimes from occurring in the area.
Investigators say the case remains active as they continue working with other jurisdictions to determine the full scope of the suspect’s alleged involvement.
