Authorities say the alleged ringleader of ATM theft spree is in their custody

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This December, Houston hotels haven’t been safe — at least not for ATMs.

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Masked men reportedly made off with five ATMs in five days in a spree spanning December 9-14, during each of which a crew of 4 to 9 men rushed the hotel lobby, knocked over an unsecured ATM and whisked it off into a getaway car in a systematic style.

RELATED: Houston police believe ATM robberies at hotels are linked

However, authorities say the mastermind behind the scheme is in custody, after being caught earlier this week.

According to police, Keltrin Stephens, 20, allegedly scouted each location before the robberies.

“He went in ahead of time and scouted the hotel before they made their entry,” Capt. Matt May with HPD’s Robbery Division said in an interview with KPRC.

Police records show authorities arrested Stephens on three outstanding felony warrants, two misdemeanors and felony theft of an ATM.

They believe he is also allegedly part of a ring of thieves who stole area Apple products.

RELATED: Masked men invade Galleria-area hotel lobby and steal ATM

“It was the same situation. They would come in and scope out the area. All they were after was Apple products. During that investigation, Stephens was arrested and charged in two of those cases–one of those cases turned into a robbery,” Detective Ken Edie said in another interview with KPRC.

Although police say Stephens is not cooperating with their investigation, authorities say the other suspects are identified, but there are no other arrests to report at this time.

Police are reportedly still asking area hotels to remain vigilant as they work to secure more arrests.

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