News

News of the weird: Police not sure who to believe in Houston ATM theft

December 23, 2003

HOUSTON - Police have not one, but two, separate sets of suspects in a smash-and-grab ATM theft.

According to Benzelo Gomes, a clerk stocking motor oil at a gas station/c-store at 3:45 a.m. Dec. 23, a dark pickup truck smashed several times into the front of the store.

"I thought they came to rob me, and I thought I might… This is my last day," Gomes told Houston's KTRK TV. "Three times they bang it, and five people, some black guys, come and take the ATM machine."

Police were summoned and found the hole -- but no thieves or ATM.

According to a witness report, the machine fell out of the thieves' truck as they sped away. The witness told police that delivery drivers came upon it in the street and took the machine. But the drivers say they just moved it.

"It was in the middle of the street," said delivery worker Rodin Roldan. "It was very heavy. We just moved it out of the way."

The ATM was discovered later that evening, abandoned by a dumpster. All of the cash -- nearly $2,000 -- was still safely tucked inside.

The store, which sustained heavy damages, is being repaired.