2 Minn. Men Convicted In Pharmacy, ATM Thefts

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Two Minnesota men have been convicted of charges related to burglaries of pharmacies and automated teller machines beginning in 2009, according to FBI's Minneapolis Field Office.

Derek Edward Benedict of Hugo and Lyle Robert Carpenter of Hastings were convicted on 10 federal counts, which include conspiracy, bank burglary, bank larceny, credit union burglary, interstate transportation of stolen property and burglary of controlled substances.

According to authorities, the offenses charged began in November of 2009 and ended in February of 2013. Benedict and Carpenter – along with others -- broke into businesses at night, disabled alarm systems and took cash from the businesses' safes and/or the ATMs located within the businesses.

Both men also burglarized multiple pharmacies in Minnesota and one in Iowa where they stole controlled substances as well as cash.

The case was investigated jointly by the FBI, the IRS, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the United States Secret Service and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Unit.