Suspects sought after stolen truck breaks into Philadelphia 7-Eleven, steals money from ATM
7-Eleven hit in hook-and-chain ATM burglary with stolen truck
Philadelphia police are searching for three people after a hook-and-chain ATM burglary at a 7-Eleven in Mayfair.
PHILADELPHIA - Police are looking for three people after an early morning burglary involving an A-T-M at a 7-Eleven in Mayfair, according to investigators. The suspects used a stolen white Ford pick-up truck and a chain to break into the A-T-M and left with cash around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
What we know:
Investigators say the incident unfolded at the Mobile gas station and 7-Eleven on the 3300 block of Tyson Avenue Tuesday morning.
The unknown suspect allegedly reversed a Ford F-150 into a concrete trash can outside the business, then exited the vehicle and used an object to shatter a storefront window.
Once inside, investigators say the suspect managed to break into an ATM and steal an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect had fled the scene by the time police arrived.
Officers later found a Ford F-150 with damage to the ignition and a tow chain attached abandoned with the engine still running on nearby Disston Street. The vehicle's owner confirmed the truck had been stolen overnight.
Police believe at least three people took part in the burglary and that the suspects successfully stole cash from the A-T-M.
Police are reviewing surveillance video from the store as part of their investigation. The burglary appears to match "hook and chain" A-T-M burglary methods described by the Department of Justice, which involves stealing a truck, attaching hooks and chains, and dragging open an A-T-M.
What they're saying:
The Department of Justice refers to these types of burglaries as "hook and chain" ATM attacks, where individuals attach hooks and chains to a stolen vehicle and use it to drag the door off an ATM to retrieve the cash from inside the machine.
Neighbor Stephanie Williams came to see the broken window before it was repaired. She said she visits the 7-Eleven often.
"It’s reckless, it’s terrible, they do too much, like how hard is it to look for a job? Try to find something better to do with yourself, like that’s not cool, you’re destroying communities."
At this point, investigators say they have not connected this burglary to any other recent car thefts or burglaries. Police urge anyone with information to contact Northeast Detectives.
What we don't know:
Police have not confirmed the identities of the suspects or said how much money was taken from the A-T-M. It is also unclear whether the suspects have been involved in other similar incidents.
The Source: Information provided by the Philadelphia Police Department.