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2 men chain and drag ATM out of gas station in intricate theft
Investigators are on the hunt to find two men who they say backed a truck into a Fishtown gas station, wrapped a chain around an ATM machine, ripped it out of the floor and escaped.
PHILADELPHIA - Authorities are searching for two men who they say used a vehicle to steal an ATM from a Philadelphia business Thursday.
Investigators say the theft happened at the Karco K shop on the 2300 block of Aramingo Avenue sometime before 4 a.m.
Police say store surveillance footage shows two guys backing a white Ford truck through the front door and the floor to ceiling glass next to it. They then chained the cash machine to the truck, pulled it out, loaded it up and hauled it away. The suspects were last seen driving southbound on Aramingo Avenue.
The gas station is located at the foot of the entrance ramp to I-95 South, making it a convenient pit stop for folks, criminals included.
The Karco K now has four holes in the floor where the bolts that were supposed to secure the now stolen ATM used to be.
Regular shoppers of the Fishtown store tell FOX 29’s Steve Keeley, this is not the first time the same ATM was targeted.
"It’s been multiple times. They come and target that spot for the ATM machine," one customer said.
"There's been a few instances there at that gas station. It's been robbed a few times. I don't know if it's just the location or what from 95, but the neighborhood right there is a really good neighborhood. I've lived In Fishtown my whole life. It's a shame they keep vandalizing this man. He's just a business owner trying to make a living," said Chris Stierle, a customer.
Philly police say ATM thefts are drastically down. This incident marks the 5th in the city this year compared to the 43 ATMs that were ripped out and stolen in 2023.
Anyone with information on the heist is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.