Gunmen Smash Through Front Of Secretary Of State Office, Steal ATM
DETROIT (WWJ) - The search is on for whoever stole an ATM from a Secretary of State office in northwest Detroit after firing a barrage of bullets in the parking lot and smashing through the storefront.
The incident happened early Friday morning at the office on 7 Mile Road just west of Evergreen Road.
An unarmed security guard was watching the office, which is located in a strip mall, from his truck in the parking lot when a car pulled up and people inside started shooting.
"First, they were shooting guns, around 1 o'clock or 1:30," the guard, who did not want to be named, told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "Then, I went to the gas station because I got scared."
When the guard returned to the scene, the gunmen were nowhere to be found and someone had smashed through the front of the office.
"I went to the gas station to use the bathroom and when I came back, I see everything broken," he said.
Michigan State Police say the suspects made off with the office's ATM, although they're not sure how much cash was in the machine.
Investigators are now seeking surveillance video from the building's security system to try to get descriptions of the suspects, who were driving a dark or brown color van.
Police are also trying to determine if this incident is related to a similar crime that took place a few hours later near Telegraph and Joy roads.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 734-287-5000.