Witnesses sought in attempted theft of ATM

Community Affairs Officer Barbara Stevens reported to Historic City News that on two separate occasions last week, the St. Augustine Police Department was called to businesses where thieves attempted to steal an automated teller machine.

On Wednesday night at approximately 9:20 p.m. and again on Friday, police responded to attempted ATM theft calls; the first at a local hotel and the other at a downtown bank.

Officer Jon Marston was called to the Hampton Inn located at 2050 North Ponce Deleon Boulevard on Wednesday night after an employee discovered the hotel’s ATM lying on its side; wrapped up in a cardboard box.

Surveillance video captured at the scene shows a black male in his 20’s or 30’s, wearing a white T-shirt with writing on the back, blue jeans, and a white hard hat, as he walks through the parking lot pushing a dolly with a cardboard box.

Once inside the hotel, out in the open as several guest walk by, the man attempted to disconnect the ATM. After a short time, the man leaves the hotel with his dolly — but without the ATM. The manager told police that the ATM was not damaged during the attempted theft; however, the machine had run out of money the previous day.

Friday Officer Doug Tyus responded to Bank of America, located at 60 Cathedral Place, where a bank representative reported that someone tried to pry their ATM from the wall.

The teller machine showed no signs of damage and it appears no money was taken, according to the incident report. The security tapes from the bank are in the process of being reviewed.

Anyone with any information concerning this crime or who may know the identity of those involved is asked to contact detectives with the St. Augustine Police Department on their tip line (904) 209-3482. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS.