Press Releases

ATM theft spree
March 28, 2009

They’re professional criminals caught on tape stealing an ATM machine from a North Fort Myers convenience store.

With clockwork precision and a well rehearsed plan, two masked men break into a convenience store and steal an ATM machine - walking away with thousands of dollars in cash in a crime that the suspects have gotten down to a science.

“They scoped it out, they rehearsed it exactly how they were going to do it, and knew exactly how much time it was going to take them to do it," said Detective Gary Schott of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Within a one week time frame, three ATM machines were stolen in Lee County. Each time, they used a stolen car to commit the crime, and in every instance the suspects have gotten in and out of the stores in record time.

Detectives say it took less than two minutes from the time the suspects busted through this window, dragged the ATM machine out with a chain, loaded it up onto the truck, then headed back down US 41.

Deputies found the truck used in this crime the following day, ditched in a cow pasture in Charlotte County. And in the true fashion of a well planned crime, the suspects made sure they covered their trail.

“The inside of the vehicle was covered with an oily residue. Everything they could have possibly touched was coated with this residue, to destroy any possibility of them picking up any fingerprints," Schott said.

What disturbs detectives is that whomever is committing these ATM thefts has it planned out so well, that it’s just a matter of time before they strike again.

“It’s happened several times, and there’s no doubt that it’ll continue until they get caught," Schott said.

Police are hoping someone will be able to ID the men in this surveillance video by their mannerisms, or maybe just from word on the street. Information leading to an arrest will put cash in the pocket of a tipster, and keep it from going into the hands of a repeat criminal.

Anyone with information on this rash of ATM thefts in Southwest Florida is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash rewards. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org.