Police believe the smash-and-grab theft of an ATM from Boston Pizza in Lac La Biche is linked to as many as 10 other similar thefts across northern Alberta this year.
Police believe the smash-and-grab theft of an ATM from Boston Pizza in Lac La Biche is linked to as many as 10 other similar thefts across northern Alberta this year.
RCMP say the circumstances of the theft are similar to a number of incidents stretching from St. Paul to Lac La Biche.
On Feb 7, a pickup truck stolen in the St. Paul area was used to smash through the front window and doors of the Lac La Biche restaurant at 1:30 a.m., and an ATM was stolen. The vehicle and the ATM were found separately later that day.
"(It's) exactly the same," said Lac La Biche RCMP Cst. Chris Clark. " (They) drive through the front window of the business, place a rope around the ATM and drive away pulling it out of the location, load it up in the truck and then cut it open and discard it on a rural road."
Police would not confirm the dollar figure of the theft in order to protect the value of similar ATM units, but confirmed that roughly two-thirds of the machine's capacity was stolen.
Clark said anyone who suspects their vehicles have been stolen or sees suspicious vehicle activity late at night near businesses with ATMs should call RCMP. "These people are stealing vehicles first. So if someone... has their vehicle stolen, they need to be calling police right away." he said.
RCMP also recommend that businesses secure their ATMs.
"Basically they're under a minute from the time they break into the store and steal an ATM," Clark said.
"We want business owners to make sure that if they do have an ATM its in a place where it's more secure, it can't be easily accessed."
According to the Cold Lake RCMP, there have been 11 similar break-ins across the region since January 10. Police believe the same group of suspects have been targeting businesses in Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Marwayne, Glendon, St. Paul, Lac La Biche, Frog Lake First Nation and Cold Lake First Nation.
