Father and Daughter’s $200,000 ATM Heist in Hillcrest Lands Them in Home Detention

In a brazen daylight heist last year, a father and daughter stole nearly $200,000 from an ATM in Hillcrest, New Zealand. The pair, Jessie-Lee Daniela-Ranford and her father James Lindsay Ranford, have now been sentenced to 10 months of home detention, avoiding prison time despite the severity of the crime. The stolen money, they admitted, has largely been spent on drug debts, rent, vehicles, and tangihanga (Māori funeral ceremonies), leaving only about $34,000 recovered by police.

The heist took place on May 31, 2024, when Daniela-Ranford, a former employee of security company Armourguard, used her knowledge of ATM systems to access a machine at Yukedas Party and Gift Store in Hillcrest. She was aided by her father, who acted as the getaway driver. After stealing the cash, the pair fled the scene, eventually abandoning their car, a Nissan Tiida, which was later found set alight in Eureka, Hamilton.

The stolen money, they claimed, was used to pay off debts, cover rent, and fund personal expenses. However, police have only managed to recover a fraction of the stolen amount. During their sentencing hearing, both denied knowing the whereabouts of the missing $159,000, but later admitted to spending it. A police prosecutor argued that the money had not simply 'evaporated' and that prison was an appropriate sentence, but both defendants' legal teams pushed for alternative sentencing options.

The court took into account the unique circumstances of both defendants. Daniela-Ranford is the sole caregiver of her two children, and her legal team highlighted her clean criminal record, youth discount, and genuine remorse. Meanwhile, Ranford, who suffers from terminal stage 4 bladder cancer, was deemed a suitable candidate for home detention by a clinical psychologist, who stated that prison would be inappropriate for his condition.

Judge Glen Marshall ultimately agreed that neither should serve time in prison, citing their personal circumstances, but ordered both to pay $20,000 in reparation to the victims. Ranford was also banned from driving for 12 months. The judge expressed concern over how quickly the money had been spent, noting that it had been used to cover both personal and funeral-related expenses.

While the sentence has been met with some public criticism, the court’s decision reflects a balance between justice and compassion, considering the health and family responsibilities of the defendants. The case has sparked a broader conversation about the challenges of sentencing in complex, personal circumstances and the potential for rehabilitation rather than punitive measures.