News

Police investigating ATM theft ring in Philly

May 18, 2004

PHILADELPHIA - Police believe a theft ring operating in all corners of the city except South Philadelphia has been stealing ATMs.

According to a WVPI report, the thieves have stolen machines from 30 businesses in the past six months, carting away standalone ATMs.

The thieves have targeted everything from small mom and pop stores to supermarket chains. Police are warning shopkeepers with ATMs to make sure they're secured. The owner of one store in Wynnefield has bolted his machine to the floor using special screws with heavy steel backing plates.

Mohammed Alokad did the same with his new machines, after thieves used a grinder to cut through the door lock of his store and removed the ATM. His insurance didn't cover cash, so Alokad lost $18,000 from his stolen machine.

The police have arrested one suspect and are looking for several others, according to WVPI.

Police are also investigating a burglary ring that's been stealing safes from local businesses. In eight of the cases, they've cut the wires to the burglar alarms before going in.