Police: La Salle man tried to pry open ATM at First Federal Savings Bank

A La Salle man was arrested Wednesday after trying to pry open an ATM with a crowbar and hammer, La Salle police said.

La Salle police responded to an activated alarm at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday at First Federal Savings Bank and observed machine damage as well as tools left at the scene. Officers also spotted, and then arrested, two individuals running north from the bank.

In open court Thursday, Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Matt Kidder said investigators found the cash machine partially opened and recovered pry bars and a hammer near the machine.

Prosecutors have charged Richard C. Young, 41, of La Salle, with attempted theft, a Class 3 felony carrying two to five years in prison, and possession of burglary tools, a Class 4 felony carrying one to three years in prison.

Marisa Melendez, 28, of Ottawa, is accused of being his lookout and faces the same felony charges.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. approved their requests for a public defender and ordered each to return July 20 to La Salle County Circuit Court.

Young was ordered held on $100,000 bail and needs to post $10,000 in cash to be released from La Salle County Jail. Melendez was ordered held on $5,000 bail, as she was found to have no criminal history, while Young is a repeat felon with a felony burglary conviction.