News

NYPD on the hunt for gang of ATM thieves

Photo of ATM theives released by NYPD.

December 4, 2019

Police in New York are on the hunt for a trio of ATM thieves, according to a report in the New York Times, which said the suspects struck at least nine times between Sept. 6 to Oct. 14. Most of the incidents occurred near Brooklyn and Queens.

Armed with crowbars and baseball bats and wearing masks, the suspects appeared to break into stores, steal cash and in some cases, the entire ATM. At least one surveillance video showed two individuals carrying an ATM out of a store and depositing it in an awaiting vehicle.

In some instances, the crooks got away with nothing, while other times, it is not clear how much they stole. At least one stolen ATM held more than $6,000, police said. 

As the Times reported, ATMs have shrunk in size over the years but they still weigh hundreds of pounds and are usually bolted to the floor. Whereas in the past, it was more likely thieves would wrap a chain around an ATM and yank it out with a truck, now it is possible for two strong individuals to carry one off.