Man pleads guilty to using explosives in Rancho Bernardo ATM break-in attempt

A Mira Mesa man who used explosives in an unsuccessful attempt to get cash from an ATM outside a Rancho Bernardo bank pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges.

Son Thanh Nguyen, 46, admitted to driving to the ATM outside the First Citizens Bank branch during the early morning hours of June 28, 2024 and sticking an improvised explosive device into the machine’s cash dispenser slot. The ATM was destroyed in the process, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Surveillance footage from the bank was used to track the license plate of the vehicle Nguyen drove to and from the scene.

Investigators say Son Nguyen used explosives to try to get money from two ATMs in June, but both times, he came up empty.

About two months later, investigators searched Nguyen’s home and found chemicals and equipment used to construct the explosive device and clothes consistent with those worn during the attempt, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Nguyen pleaded guilty to a count of malicious use of fire and explosive materials to damage property.

He was originally also charged with a similar, alleged attempted break-in of an ATM outside a California Coast Credit Union in University Heights, but only pleaded guilty Thursday to taking part in the Rancho Bernardo incident.