Media Release
Release Date: January 25th, 2019 - 11:42am
Originator: Staff Sergeant, Paul Foley, 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, 905-825-4747 ext. 2215
Contact: Detective, Ross Amore, 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, 905 825-4747 ext. 2246
Location: Oakville
Attachment 1: 5797-ATM 1.jpg
Attachment 2: 5797-ATM 2.jpg
Attachment 3: 5797-ATM 3.jpg
Attachment 4: 5797-ATM 4.jpg
Thefts of ATM Machines - Oakville
The Halton Regional Police Service is investigating two thefts of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the Town of Oakville.
On January 18, 2019, at approximately 5:30 a.m., three suspects in an older model pickup truck pulled up to the front doors of the Sobeys Store located at 2441 Lakeshore Road West. One of the suspects pried open the sliding door which provided access to the front vestibule of the store in which an ATM machine was located. The two other suspects then tied a chain (hooked up to the pickup truck) around the ATM machine, and the driver then accelerated, hauling the ATM through the doors of the store. The suspects then loaded the ATM into the bed of the truck before making good their escape.
The second incident occurred on January 24, 2019 at approximately 3:30 a.m. Three suspects in a pickup truck attended the ‘Film.Ca Cinemas’ movie theater located at #25-171 Speers Road and applied the same technique detailed above to remove the ATM machine from this location.
Descriptions (see attached photos):
Suspect 1: Male, black balaclava, blue hoodie, brown pants, brown boots, white gloves.
Suspect 2: Male, black balaclava, blue plaid jacket, black pants, black shoes with white soles, blue gloves.
Suspect 3: Male, black balaclava, dark jacket over bright orange hoodie, black pants, tan work boots, black gloves.
Vehicle: 2004 to 2007 Ford F250, 4-door crew cab, two-tone - green with tan trim, winter rims, no tonneau cover.
The Halton Regional Police Service will not be disclosing the value of these ATMs or their contents, as the investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone with information about these ATM thefts is asked to contact D/Cst. Ross Amore at the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2246.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers "See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Business owners: If you don’t need an ATM, don’t have one. If you must have an ATM at your place of business, we would ask that you consider the following theft prevention tips:
- If possible, place the ATM in an area of the store that is not easily accessible or visible from a door or window;
- Maintain ATMs with a minimum amount of currency;
- Equip the ATMs with GPS tracking devices;
- Make sure video surveillance systems are updated, in working order, and positioned to capture the interior and exterior of the business;
- Consider installing bollards and or concrete curbs outside windows and doors to block vehicles;
- Remove any extra signs on windows and doors to give potential witnesses a better view inside the store; and
- Use exterior lighting to give potential witnesses a clear view.
Community safety is a shared responsibility. If members of the public witness suspicious activity, they are encouraged to report it immediately to police.