Police: Thieves Smash Into Newark Fast Food Restaurant, Drag Away ATM
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Newark were hunting Tuesday for the suspects who smashed into a fast food restaurant and ripped an ATM right off the floor.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, this may not have been the first time they have done it.
Police said the alleged thieves parked their pickup outside a fried chicken shop at Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, likely not knowing that three different cameras were rolling, Brennan reported.
But the alleged thieves were cool customers -- first using a power tool to cut the bolt of the front gate, and raising it.
After sizing up the front doors, the suspects went inside to check the location of the ATM. The video shows them putting the truck in reverse and beginning ramming.
It took four times before the pickup broke through the doors and wall, and knocked the ATM free from the bolts on the ground.
As surveillance video showed, one suspect scooped up the machine, and headed back out to the truck, hauling it away. The pickup then takes off, along with another red car.
The whole job took just over two minutes, police said.
"Somebody come in, and they took my ATM machine, and they broke my wall," said store owner Pervin Akart. "Everything is dust inside."
Akart didn't want to show her face, but told CBS2's Brennan that the whole incident was frightening.
Police said they don't know whether the robbery was connected to a few other ones just like it across Newark. Residents said they have seen such robberies before.
"It's an experienced crew," said Reginald Judd of Newark. "They know what they're doing. They know how to get in, get out."
Most of the stores along the strip mall in the depressed neighborhood where the theft happened have long ago closed. Residents said part of the reason is that they don't get enough police protection.
"It's very, very dangerous, you know, because there's nobody in the area to protect these guys that have these businesses," said Lisa Hardy of Newark.
"Nothing new – it's just the same old thing, you know? Another day in Newark," added Judd.
The fried chicken shop owner said her business will remain open, but she won't be putting in another ATM machine.