In a brazen heist in Connecticut, thieves used a stolen digger to tear an automated teller machine from a bank, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said Wednesday.
How the Theft Unfolded
The incident occurred early Tuesday morning at a Webster Bank branch in the town of Windsor, about 10 miles north of Hartford. Police responded to an alarm at around 3:30 a.m. and found the ATM ripped from its concrete base, with the digger abandoned nearby.
According to Lieutenant Andrew Power of the Windsor Police Department, the suspects used a stolen construction vehicle to pry the machine from the ground. The digger had been reported stolen from a nearby construction site earlier that night. The thieves then loaded the ATM onto a waiting pickup truck and fled the scene.
Investigation Underway
Police are reviewing surveillance footage from the bank and surrounding businesses. They have not yet identified any suspects, but Power said the investigation is ongoing. The amount of cash taken has not been disclosed, but ATMs can hold tens of thousands of dollars.
This type of theft, while unusual, is not unprecedented. Similar incidents have occurred in other states, where thieves use heavy machinery to steal ATMs. The use of a digger adds a level of sophistication and risk, Power noted.
Community Impact
The bank branch remained closed Wednesday while crews repaired the damage. Customers were directed to other locations. Local residents expressed shock at the boldness of the crime. "It's crazy that someone would go to such lengths to steal money," said Windsor resident Maria Santos. "You hear about this happening in movies, not in real life."
The police are urging anyone with information to come forward. They are also advising businesses to review their security measures, especially those with ATMs accessible from the street.
