The elusive thieves that have been breaking into businesses all over Central Alberta since early June to steal automated teller machines (ATM) have returned close to home.
For the second time in three months a Spruce View business has been targeted.
Last July 29, the ATM thieves smashed their way into Spruce View's J-Bar-T Roadhouse bar and restaurant and took off with its ATM machine.
And now Spruce View's Co-op and its ATM were extensively damaged on Oct. 29 as thieves attempted to smash their way through the business to get cash, said Innisfail RCMP S. Sgt. Chris Matechuk.
He said shortly before 4:30 a.m., thieves in a stolen truck backed the vehicle into the front entrance of the Spruce View Co-op.
Matechuk said the culprits used a tow strap on the truck to attempt to pull out the ATM but were unsuccessful.
He said the ATM was destroyed and a significant amount of damage was done to the front end of the business. Matechuk said the only item taken from the Co-op was an empty cash drawer. The stolen truck was recovered by RCMP a short distance from the store, he said.
Prior to the latest attempted theft of an ATM, there have been thefts reported from across Central Alberta, including incidents in Blackfalds, Rimbey, Stettler, Bashaw, Lacombe, Caroline and four in Red Deer.
Matechuk said his detachment is leading the investigation into the thefts and is considering committing more resources to capture the suspects.
“We have a good video of them and they are masked and wearing gloves,” he said. “Our belief is that it is the same people. It is still under investigation.”
The closest RCMP came to nabbing the suspects was back in the early morning hours of Aug. 17 when an ATM was violently yanked out from a Caroline fast-food restaurant.
Mounties pursued the suspects at high speeds all the way to Sylvan Lake. Spike belts were deployed during the pursuit but the suspects managed to elude police on the highway and in Sylvan Lake where they left their stolen vehicle and fled on foot.
If anyone has any information on any of the ATM thefts since last June he or she can contact Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
