News

Ram raid ATM thefts in Ill. appear to be linked

March 7, 2004

GALESBURG, Ill. - Authorities in central and west-central Illinois believe that a spate of ATM recent thefts are related.

According to an Associated Press report, the Knox County Sheriff's Department is investigating a string of 15 thefts in which ATMs have been dragged from businesses in rural communities.

Knox County Sheriff's Detective Nick Carlson said five ATMs have turned up missing in Knox County. ATMs have also disappeared in Rock Island, Henry, McDonough and Peoria counties since November.

"They're using a stolen pickup and actually pulling machines from the business using a chain or a cable or something," said Keith Pickard, also a detective with the Knox County Sheriff's Department.

One machine, with its sides bashed in, has been recovered.