ECPD seeks ATM thieves
EL CENTRO — A stolen U-Haul truck was reportedly used early Sunday to smash into a business’ storefront and steal an ATM machine from inside, the El Centro Police Department reported.
Officers were dispatched at 3:15 a.m. to the business in the 600 block of Wake Avenue in response to an alarm activation and observed that the storefront had been smashed in and something heavy had been dragged from the store. The business’ owner subsequently confirmed that the store’s ATM machine was taken, an ECPD press release stated.
About 10 a.m., officers received a report of a stolen truck from the U-Haul location in the 1700 block of South Fourth Street. The vehicle was suspected of having been stolen the night prior by two suspects who were allegedly seen stealing the keys from a lockbox at the location, the press release stated.
From U-Haul, the suspects allegedly drove the stolen truck to the business and drove into the storefront to gain access. The stolen ATM was reportedly placed in the truck’s enclosed cargo area and driven away, ECPD reported.
The stolen truck was recovered about 2 p.m. in the north alley of the 1800 block of Ocotillo Drive, near De Anza Magnet School. The remnants of the ATM were located in the rear of the cargo area of truck with the cash container removed, the press release stated.
The amount of money taken in the theft was not released.
Smash-and-grab thefts of entire ATMs were fairly prevalent nationally during the last recession, particularly machines located at convenience stores and other retail locations where security is minimal compared to banks. The weight of an ATM typically requires a crew to lift one in the truck, and box trucks are ideal because they can provide effective cover while breaking into the machine’s safe.
The case will be forwarded to the El Centro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation. The stolen U-Haul remained in the custody of ECPD for evidence processing.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the El Centro Police Department Investigations Division (760) 337-4525.