ATM thieves busted

LYNNE, Fla. - The best-laid plans of four Florida thieves didn't work out too well after they tried to steal an ATM machine with a pickup truck and a set of chains.

The Miami Herald reported that all four men were arrested and charged with auto theft and criminal mischief, but not before attempting to flee. A Marion County Sheriff's deputy spotted three of the men in the stolen pickup truck, shortly after their attempt to steal the ATM from a convenience store failed.

The truck had no taillights, and the deputy tried to pull the truck over. The criminals tried to escape, but crashed into a sand dune and then ran into nearby woods, where search dogs later discovered a 34-year-old man. Two others were arrested later walking down a street, and the fourth bandit was captured later.

The Kwik King convenience store, near Ocala, was in the process of changing ATM companies, the storeowner said, and the robbery attempt occurred before the machine was to be refilled. No cash was lost in the robbery attempt. The men were suspected of a similar crime in another Ocala suburb, Summerfield.