North Carolina thieves snatch ATMs

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The next time Santa ponders who's been naughty or nice, some North Carolina vandals may lead his lump of coal list.

Raleigh police say a privately owned ATM at a gas station was stolen early Christmas morning, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. Six minutes later, police said, the same suspects attempted to steal a second ATM at a gas station outside city limits. Police also suspect the Christmas bandits of stealing an ATM on Dec. 13 that contained $1,500.

All of the incidents have occurred at Citgo stores, according to the News & Observer. In each case, the front door of the business was shattered. Although the machines were bolted to concrete, the burglars ripped the ATMs from the floor and dragged them out the front door, the News & Observer reported. The ATM stolen on Christmas weighed 260 pounds

Surveillance camera footage at one of the burglary scenes shows at least two men pushing an ATM through the store, the News & Observer reported. The men checked the cash register and then left the scene.

Along with Raleigh police, the Wake County Sheriff's Department is investigating the thefts.