Always Coca-Cola; Not Always a Real Coke Employee
Man accused of breaking into vending machines just for the taste of it, money
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A locksmith allegedly wanted to have a Coke and a smile ... and some cash.
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.
