Police try to find a link between recent ATM thefts

MIAMI (WSVN) -- It's a growing trend across South Florida: crooks smashing ATMs from businesses and leaving behind big messes.

Now it appears this is the trifecta. Yet another ATM was targeted in Miami-Dade County Saturday morning. The machine ripped from Check Cashing USA in Miami on Northwest 28th Street and Seventh Avenue.

"It's unfortunate we have to go through this," said Vicente Garcia, "because people try to get their everyday needs here."

Thieves destroyed the front of that store in the process. Pieces of glass lay next to the leftover parts of the now missing machine. An employee said, "I got here, and the ATM was taken, ripped."

This is the third case in as many days. Thursday morning, several men destroyed the entrance of a Northwest Miami-Dade Quik Stop. A car backed in with a yellow rope attached it to the ATM, and it was hauled away.

Just about 40 minutes later, in North Miami, surveillance video again caught what is believed to be the exact same guys with the same method and yellow rope.

But in that attempt, they were unable to tow the ATM out. One of the men then tried to bull-rush the machine. He failed.

Police said, "In the video you can see him take a running start and slam his shoulder into the ATM," said North Miami Police Major Neal Cuevas. "He apparently hurts himself and walks away holding his shoulder. This will probably end up on one of those dumbest videos."

Is this the work of the same crew? There is no video connected to this incident so that remains unknown. "I didn't think it was going to happen," said Garcia. "I came in with the full intention to do my eight hours and clock out, but things happen, so we just gotta move on and fix it, and you know, move on."

It is also unclear how much cash was inside the ATM at the moment.

If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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