'They Attack As Many As They Can': Crew Could Be Responsible For ATM Thefts In South Austin; Sources Say 4 Have Been Arrested
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police sources told CBS 2 Tuesday that four men have been arrested in connection with a series of ATM thefts in Chicago.
Police also recovered two black Jeep Cherokees and two guns connected to the crew.
On Monday, we showed you video of Chicago Police loading up two stolen ATMs found in a West Side garage and hauling them away. At the tine, CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot officers got the machine back, but the thieves got away.
Police sources said it's believed the crew involved in these most recent ATM thefts is responsible for several others.
The four people, all adults, were taken into custody - but as of late Tuesday had not been charged with the ATM crimes.
Some have outstanding warrants. Two of the suspects are from the West Side.
Chicago Police counted the cash, which was later put inside an evidence bag. The money came from two ATMs found on the 300 block of North Parkside Avenue in South Austin inside a garage.
Sources said at least one of the ATMs had a tracking device. That led police to the West Side location. A black Jeep was also found near the scene. Inside it police discovered a gun and a bag of cash.
Illinois State Police were pursuing two black Jeep Cherokees Monday morning. The Elmhurst Police Department had put out an alert for two black Jeeps wanted for a robbery there. It's not known if the incidents are connected.
The two SUVs also matched the description of the vehicles involved in ATM thefts more than a week ago on Chicago's northwest side. Both Jeeps have been recovered.
In surveillance video, two men are seen shattering the windows of a restaurant, crawling through broken windows and shaking an ATM free. The men loaded it into the back of a black Jeep. CBS 2 cameras captured police pursuing two black Jeeps and a black Dodge Charger after the theft.
David Tente is the Executive Director of the ATM Industry Association. Tente said ATM thefts can be linked to organized crime. While it's unclear if that's the case here, he said ATM crews often come from out of state and target specific areas.
"They attack as many as they can, get away with as much money as they can and next week it's a different city," said Tente. "Or maybe they come back again."
After the ATMs were taken away by police in South Austin, a SWAT team arrived in the neighborhood. Police sources said the crew of ATM thieves was believed to be inside a home on the 300 block of Parkside.
Police sources said it's believed the same crew is responsible for other ATM burglaries in Chicago over the past several months.
During a recent crew arrest several months ago, a SWAT team surrounded a home they were in. Some of the suspects ran from the house while money was falling out of their pockets.
