Always Coca-Cola; Not Always a Real Coke Employee

Man accused of breaking into vending machines just for the taste of it, money

By OLSEN EBRIGHT
Updated 12:15 PM PST, Thu, Nov 5, 2009

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A Van Nuys man was allegedly posing as Coca-Cola representative and stealing money from vending machines.

But it takes more than a couple of Coke logos on your hat and jacket to be an official Coca-Cola representative, and it appears Jay Ybarra is about to learn that lesson.

Ybarra, a 38-year-old locksmith, is now locked up.

Police said that, "Without raising suspicions because of his appearance, (Ybarra) proceeded to open a vending machine with a key and transfer money from the machine into a bag. Afterward, the suspect secured the machine and left in his van."

LAPD detectives teamed up with a Coca-Cola field security manager on the investigation, City News Service reported.

"On Oct. 30, the suspect abruptly left when he was questioned by business personnel at a location where was attempting to access a vending machine," police said. "Those who questioned him also provided details to police that led to his arrest."

Ybarra was arrested Monday and is being held on $120,000 bail.

First Published: Nov 5, 2009 11:46 AM PST

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