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ATM Thefts Across the Region

Friday, 20 April 2018 11:08

A group of thieves have been going around the region ramming trucks and SUV's into businesses and stealing ATM machines.

WOODSTOCK - A band of thieves have been going around the region stealing ATM machines.

Locally we have seen this happen in Scotland and in Woodstock at the J&P Variety store. ATM's have also been taken from the Waterloo, Hamilton, Owen Sound and Niagara areas. 

OPP say the motive of operation is the same in each instance. The suspects will scout out the location and then ram a stolen vehicle into the front entrance of the building, wrap a chain around the ATM and forcibly rip it from the building. 

The damage left behind ranges from $20,000 to $250,000 and in some cases have left the building structurally unsound. The average loss from and ATM is approximately $10,000, plus loss of revenue while the store is closed and the associated repair costs. The costs can easily become unbearable, not to mention the increase to insure the business again.

There is no predictability in terms of when or where incidents occur. Gas stations, variety stores, large chain restaurants and shopping malls are all vulnerable. 

Police are encouraging business owners with an ATM to report any and all suspicious activity to police immediately. The OPP are also alerting owners of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to always pocket vehicle keys and to ensure vehicles are locked at all times.

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