Seattle Police are seeking information on a series of ATM thefts around the Seattle area in which the thieves use vehicles to smash into buildings to gain access to the ATM machines inside.
Seattle Police photo
Information from Seattle Police Department
A group of thieves have used trucks to smash their way inside Seattle businesses and steal cash from ATMs in at least a half-dozen cases. Detectives are now seeking assistance in identifying the suspects.
Cases involving the group of suspects date back to January, when they targeted businesses in the 100 block of Nickerson Street and the 800 block of Northwest 85th. The suspects damaged ATMs and stole cash, along with cigarettes and change, from businesses.
On January 31st, the suspects again struck businesses in the 2000 block of Northwest Market Street and 15thAvenue Northwest and Northwest 85th Street.
On February 20th, the suspects rammed a truck through the doors of a grocery store in the 7200 block of Greenwood Avenue and used a forklift to make off with an ATM.
And early this morning, around 2 AM, the group again smashed a pickup truck through the front doors of a South Seattle pharmacy near Rainier Avenue South and South Genesee Street, and rammed an ATM machine until they were able to access the cash inside.
While surveillance cameras at several businesses have captured images of the suspects, they have worn hoods, masks, and gloves during their break-ins. Nevertheless, detectives are hoping someone out there may recognize them or may have information about these crimes.
Police are also asking businesses to ensure their ATMs are located in a secure location. The suspects appear to be targeting businesses where ATMs are located at or near front entrances, where they can more easily use a large truck to smash or rip at the security cages on cash machines.
If you have any information about these cases, or recognize these suspects, please email spd_giu@seattle.gov or call the General Investigations Unit at 206 684-8940.
