Three times has not been the charm for some not-so-talented criminals attempting to steal ATM machines, this time from the inside of Willowbrook Shopping Centre on Wednesday morning.
At 3:30 a.m., Langley RCMP were called to the mall where a pickup truck had driven through the front doors near the Zellers.
Officers found extensive damage to the mall entrance, where the vehicle had been driven approximately 80 feet into the mall, said Langley RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Holly Marks.
The suspect(s) then dragged the ATM to near the entrance and attempted to break into the unit. They were unsuccessful in obtaining any cash. The ATM was abandoned at the scene.
It is estimated that in excess of $30,000 damage was done to the mall doors.
This was the third attempted ATM theft in Langley in a week.
Lower Mainland District Forensic Identification Services completed the initial scene examination where vehicle parts were located. These parts have been tentatively linked to a stolen vehicle recovered nearby.
This vehicle, a white Dodge Ram extended cab, has been seized and will be processed as a crime vehicle.
It is estimated that in excess of $30,000 damage was done to the mall doors.
“This is the third attempted theft of an ATM in less than a week. We all need to work together to keep our community safe,” said Marks. “The damage to these businesses will be reflected in insurance premiums for businesses and retail pricing for consumers. And at the end of the day, all this damage was for naught. No money was stolen.”
On Sunday, two gas stations in Brookswood were hit by would-be thieves trying to take the ATMs from inside. The Shell gas station at 40 Avenue and 208 was hit first with the gate pulled from the frame of the door using a stolen truck. The two male suspects threw a rock through the window but never managed to take the ATM.
A few minutes later, the pair used a blue Dodge Dakota smashed into the front door of the SuperSave gas station store at 24 Avenue and 200 Street.
The culprits left the truck inside the store and fled on foot. A police dog couldn’t find a track.