Video shows botched ATM heist at Walgreens
In a dramatic display of brazen criminal activity, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state has shared footage capturing a group of thieves in the act of a bold burglary attempt. The video reveals the suspects using a stolen truck to try to steal an ATM from a local Walgreens, only to abandon their efforts as law enforcement officers closed in.
The footage, made public by the Sheriff’s Office, depicts the stolen vehicle forcefully crashing into the storefront multiple times, successfully breaching a security gate. Once inside, two individuals leap from the truck, hastily securing a chain to the ATM.
The video captures the chaotic scene as the thieves attempt to pull the ATM out, inflicting significant damage in the process. The machine is eventually dislodged and dragged through the parking lot as the truck makes a hasty departure.
Authorities were alerted to the situation around 3:30 a.m. on a Wednesday, responding swiftly to reports of an ongoing burglary.
As the deputies arrived, the suspects were forced to leave the ATM behind, their plan thwarted by the timely intervention of law enforcement. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by businesses in safeguarding their premises against such calculated theft attempts.
Video shows thieves smashing through a security gate with a stolen truck before dragging an ATM across the parking lot. (Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)
Witnesses told arriving officers that the stolen truck with at least three suspects had already fled, dragging the ATM behind it as it sped off.
While searching the surrounding neighborhood, a deputy spotted a second truck connected to the crime.
According to officials, the suspects were attempting to retrieve the ATM after it detached from the chain during their escape. Once they noticed law enforcement nearby, they jumped back into the vehicle and sped away, leaving the ATM behind.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said the suspects used a stolen truck to ram into a store and drag out an ATM in a coordinated burglary attempt caught on video. (Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)
The second truck managed to get away but was later found abandoned in Tacoma. Investigators say the attempt was clearly coordinated, involving multiple vehicles and suspects working together.
Authorities are now asking the public for information that could help identify the individuals or trucks involved, noting that the break-in caused thousands of dollars in damage and that investigators want to prevent additional attempts.
Deputies say multiple suspects used two trucks to rip an ATM from a store before abandoning it and fleeing the scene. (Pierce County Sheriff’s Office)
A spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News Digital that after the video was posted, several citizens reported seeing the two trucks and suspects together earlier in the night. Many believed the behavior was suspicious but did not call it in at the time.
“This is a great example of why we encourage citizens to report all suspicious activity, so deputies can investigate before crimes happen,” the spokesperson said. “If you see something, say something.”
Deputies are also investigating whether the group may be linked to other recent ATM thefts in the region. With the suspects still at large, officials warn they may attempt a similar crime in another jurisdiction.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
