News

Would-be thieves attempt to shoot their way into an ATM

March 5, 2002

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Three teen-agers and a 20-year-old who may have seen a few too many John Wayne movies were arrested for allegedly trying to shoot their way into an ATM, according to the Associated Press.

According to police who responded to a 1 a.m. call at a Western Bank branch, two deadbolt locks on an access door and the ATM's keypad had been shot at point-blank range, but the ATM did not open.

Police said Clyde Tyler, 17, fired the three blasts into the machine. He was charged with attempted larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, felony property destruction and use of a firearm while committing a crime.

After a nearby resident alerted police, an officer arrived and caught Tyler running away from the scene with a sawed-off shotgun, according to a report filed by the district attorney's office.

Tyler allegedly told police he was with three others in two separate cars. The others were apprehended later.

Charles Sauer, 20, was charged with conspiracy to commit larceny and aiding and abetting larceny. Ryan Gossett, 18, and Jason Benzel, 17, were charged with conspiracy to commit larceny.