Thomasville Times Enterprise

Calendar of events

September 29, 2009

ATM thefts reach into Florida

THOMASVILLE — Practice makes perfect.

“The more they’re doing, the more proficient they’re getting,” a Thomas County Sheriff’s’ Office investigator said about individuals stealing ATMs from convenience stores.

Since June 25, ATM bandits have made off with machines from a dozen stores in Southwest Georgia and nearby Florida counties.

A 2001 Dodge quad-cab truck used in a Thomas County theft — and found in Thomasville Monday — has been returned to its owner.

The vehicle was stolen from a Thomasville used-car business.

Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator, said culprits are stealing trucks from businesses in the communities in which they are taking ATMs.

The Dodge truck found Monday has been processed. Authorities have no suspects. No warrants have been issued.

Thomas County joins Cairo Police Department, Grady County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies in Leon and Wakulla counties in Florida in the investigation.

“The last one happened Thursday night/Friday morning in Woodville in Leon County,” Watkins said.

The thefts are being completed in less than two minutes.

An ATM taken from an Ochlocknee store was found alongside a road near Meigs. ATMs taken in Grady County have been found in Leon County.

Most discarded ATMs have been found alongside roads.

The machines have contained from several hundred dollars to several thousand. A grinder, a power tool that cuts metal, is used to enter the ATMs.

Watkins asks that anyone with a vehicle business who discovers a truck has been stolen should immediately report the theft to law enforcement.



Text Only
Calendar of events
Business Marquee
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
AP Video
Raw Video: Deadly Bombing at Yemen Parade Preps Professor: Chinese Activist's 'Spirit Is Good' Ring of Fire Eclipse Seen in U.S., Asia Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75 Years G-8 Seeks Unity on Euro-debt Crisis, Iran Prosecutors: Trio Planned to Attack Obama's HQ Obama: G8 Unified in Stance on Iran, Syria
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Poll

Which scenario best describes your level of indebtedness compared to this time last year?

I owe more
I owe less
I owe about the same
     View Results