The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) along with federal, state, and local law enforcement, arrested a man following an multi-state investigation into ATM theft at colleges and universities.

On Thursday, June 1st, around 11 a.m., 38-year-old Michael W. Friess, of Wichita, was arrested after surrendering to KBI agents and KHP troopers. He was booked into the Harvey County Jail on multiple arrest warrants.

Between December 2022 and February 2023, the KBI investigated thefts involving a suspect who broke into ATMs on college campuses and stole the money inside. The thefts occurred at campuses in several Kansas counties. The same suspect also broke into rural fire departments and stole lifesaving rescue equipment.

Friess was identified as a suspect through a multi-agency collaborative effort.

Friess was arrested for charges in the following arrest warrants:

Cloud County – Burglary, criminal damage to property (value of more than $25,000), theft (value of $1,500 to $25,000)

Shawnee County – Burglary (non-residential), theft (value $1,500 to $25,000)

Harvey County – Aggravated criminal damage to property, two counts of burglary (non-residential), theft of property/services (value of $1,500 to $25,000), criminal damage to property (value of less than $1,000)

McPherson County – Two counts of criminal damage to property (value $1,500 to $25,000), burglary (non-residential)

Friess is also facing multiple criminal charges in Oklahoma, and additional charges are expected.