As reported in The Baltimore Sun and elsewhere, a Maryland couple, Matthew Dale Bush (below), 38, and Crystal French (aka Crystal Bush), 34, have been indicted on a multi-state ATM crime spree. According to the indictment, which was unsealed April 4, the pair has been linked to a series of “crash and grab” ATM robberies in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia committed last year.
In at least five of the incidents, which took place in a two-month period, Bush allegedly stole entire ATMs by smashing the glass of retail businesses, then dragging the units out via rope or chain attached to a vehicle. “Just act like you have no idea what’s going on. I love you princess. I was with you,” Bush texted his wife when police raided the couple’s home. “I love you too, husband,” French responded by text. “I don’t know nothing about nothing. Change you facebook [sic]profile and cover pictures to something from the wedding.”
In October 2017, the couple had escalated from ATMs thefts to bank robbery and were apprehended while fleeing a bank in Baltimore City. According to law enforcement officials, they were married during their crime spree. Because the crimes took place in multiple states, a federal indictment was required to bring the charges together. Authorities allege Bush and French spent the proceeds of their crimes on “personal items,” including heroin and other illegal narcotics. Each face up to 20 years in prison.
