An Edmonton criminologist says he believes one or two crime groups are behind many of the ATM thefts reported recently throughout Alberta – RCMP have said it’s believed some of those incidents may be connected.
Early Monday morning in Lamont, Alberta, Mitchell Trenholm and his friend watched, and recorded, as suspects tried to steal an ATM unit from the Servus Credit Union using a stolen tractor.
Trenholm said his heart was pounding as he watched the crime take place.
“We didn’t know what they were going to do if they knew we were watching,” Trenholm said. “It was pretty scary.”
Trenholm said the suspects stayed on the scene for more than half an hour.
In this case, the nearest police detachment was 30 kilometres away – and according to Edmonton criminologist Bill Pitt, it’s time the suspects were likely banking on.
“I think it’s a really high priority,” Pitt said. “I mean, that’s smart, if you’re a criminal why would you want to stick your head in the lion’s den.”
The incident in Lamont is the latest in a series of similar thefts in Alberta.
Since October, 2015, there have been more than 40 ATM-related calls made to police, and they’re spread throughout Alberta.
Pitt said he believes there are two crime groups behind many of those incidents.
RCMP said some of them might be connected, officials told CTV News the same getaway vehicle has been used in more than one theft.
In some cases – like the incident in Lamont – a commercial vehicle has been stolen and then used to smash through walls to get access to the machines.
Pitt said in other cases, the security at targeted facilities just isn’t good enough.
“This is security 101, you have to get these things away from the front doors,” Pitt said.
With files from Dan Grummett
