Alleged thieves suspected of following man from ATM and stealing thousands from parked car in El Cajon

El Cajon police arrested three men suspected of following a man from an ATM and then stealing several thousands of dollars in cash the victim left in his parked car.

The arrests came Friday as police targeted shoplifters coming out of a Home Depot on Fletcher Parkway. Officers who were set up in the parking lot witnessed a man breaking into a SUV, said police Lt. Will Guerin.

The suspected burglar then got into a car with two other men, Guerin said.

Police detained the trio, all of whom are Houston residents who are in their 30s, and found more than $20,000 in cash on them.

Officers tracked down the owner of the SUV and learned he had recently withdrawn several thousands of dollars from a bank and left the money in his vehicle.

Guerin said officers believe the money found with the suspects came from several victims. He said the FBI was notified since the suspects are from out of state and are believed to have committed crimes across multiple jurisdictions.

“We think these guys have been hitting all over the place, basically following people from banks or ATMS until they park their car,” the lieutenant said.

The three were booked into jail on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime.

During the six-hour operation, police also arrested seven people on suspicion of shoplifting items from Home Depot. Officers recovered about $1,000 worth of stolen merchandise, he said.

The seven were issued citations and released.