Police say ATM thefts could be ‘systematic’ work

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PUXICO — An ATM in Puxico was robbed and law enforcement officials are following leads. But those leads might connect more dots than some might imagine.

In a press release, authorities stated the ATM theft in Puxico that happened over the weekend might be related to ATM thefts in Poplar Bluff and Rolla. According to Deputy Police Chief Keith Hefner with the Poplar Bluff Police Department, there is one active investigation of theft of an ATM in Poplar Bluff that occurred at 1:45 a.m. Thursday, May 9. According to the report, police responded to an ATM alarm from First Missouri State Bank and located the damaged ATM machine and determined there had been a theft. That investigation continues.

According to the press release, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department was alerted at 4:51 a.m. Sunday to an alarm call at First Midwest Bank of Puxico.

“Upon the arrival of law enforcement, it was discovered the ATM machine had been broken into and an undisclosed amount of money was missing,” officials said. “A vehicle was also still on scene and it was later discovered the vehicle had been stolen from the Dexter area.”

Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Andy Holden explained this appears to be systematic.

“Law enforcement throughout the state are able to share information with each other, and we are beginning to believe this could actually be a type of cell that is moving east and targeting smaller areas,” Holden explained. “Their method of operation appears to include stealing a car and driving it to and abandoning it at the scene of the crime.”

This incident is being investigated by the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office and Puxico Police Department, but Holden said law enforcement is working together in a larger sense by sharing relevant information about similar cases.

“At this time, we believe the group that is doing this is not local,” Holden remarked. “We believe the group of individuals is from a different state.”

Holden said he didn’t want to divulge any unnecessary information, but he did say the current theory is this group of individuals travels major highways and targets small, rural communities.

“It’s basically organized crime. They know these smaller towns don’t have large police departments, so they feel they have a better chance at getting away,” Hefner said. “They study and they put a lot of thought into it. Just imagine how much better this world might be if they put the much energy and commitment into something good.”

At this time, no suspects are in custody. Anyone with information related to the theft should contact the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office at 573-568-4654