SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- The FBI is investigating a dozen ATM thefts in Southern California, including four since May and one last week, according to a report in the Press-Democrat.
(See related story Stolen truck used to batter, steal ATM in Calif.)
Benicia police caught a man on June 10 after he allegedly backed his van through the locked glass doors of a liquor store and made off with an ATM in plain view of neighbors who flooded 911 lines.
The incident was one of at least eight attempts in Sonoma County in the past two months. Thieves have been successful at two locations since April 15, but have been stymied in six other tries at markets in the Santa Rosa, Graton, Monte Rio and Healdsburg areas.
In all eight incidents, two or three male robbers rammed a truck through the front windows of a business, tied a rope or chain to a freestanding ATM and tried to rip it from its foundation.
Managers at the Dry Creek General Store and Berry's Market reported that thieves had netted about $6,000 between the two successful thefts.
One of the battered machines was found abandoned in the Russian River woods. The thieves apparently beat it with a sledgehammer to get access to the cash.
"It looked like a hand grenade blew it apart," Sonoma County Sheriff's Detective Mike Kirby said.
Video from store surveillance cameras has helped identify one vehicle involved and offered some clues to the burglars' identities. Santa Rosa police have served one search warrant, but haven't made any arrests. Detectives believe the same people were involved in all eight incidents.
Dry Creek General Store manager Leila McPhee said there are still holes in the floor from where the cash machine was stolen May 30.
"It was a real bummer. Because of the nice weather we've been busy, and we'd just doubled the amount of money we usually put in it," she said, adding that the owners are planning to get another machine.
"We feel like it's a wonderful thing to be able to offer our customers, but I tell you what -- the next one won't be near the front door and it will be bolted down," McPhee said. "They'll have to blow it up inside the store to get anything out of it."
