Denver Businesses Targeted by ATM Thieves: Caught on Camera
Thieves have been caught on camera targeting ATMs in Denver businesses this week, causing significant damage. While they’ve managed to steal only a few hundred dollars with each hit, the damage left behind is exponentially greater, costing business owners thousands.
Melissa Mitchell, owner of the historic dive bar The Squeeze, woke up to a Ring notification on Wednesday morning and found the back door of her business wide open. Initially thinking it might have been the wind, she soon realized it was much more serious upon hearing breaking glass.
“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, did it just pop open in the wind? What happened?'” she said. But the breaking glass made it clear that it was something more severe. “I woke up my kids and said, ‘Come on, we got to go.’ Someone from next door had already called the police and informed me that The Squeeze had been broken into, causing a lot of structural damage.”
Upon arrival, Mitchell saw the extent of the damage. One of the walls was completely destroyed. Reviewing the Ring video, it became evident how this happened.
“Someone asked, ‘Why didn’t the sensors go off on the doors?’ Well, when you come through a wall, there’s not much you can do,” Mitchell explained.
The video showed two thieves using their truck to pull down a section of the wall, allowing them to access the safe and break into it with heavy tools. They also rummaged through cash registers and lock boxes, which were mostly empty. Despite their efforts, they only managed to steal about $300, while causing approximately $30,000 worth of damage.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover repair costs. Beyond the structural damage, Mitchell lamented the loss of bricks bearing names and signatures of past patrons, including a commemorative brick for a beloved patron, Don Johnson.
In a separate incident an hour earlier, another ATM at one of John Zayac’s car washes was similarly targeted. The thieves caused $7,000 to $8,000 in damage each time, but only managed to steal small amounts of money.
“It’s the same guy, the same clothing, the same truck,” Zayac said after reaching out to Mitchell and comparing notes. The methods used in both break-ins were identical, involving a chain or cord tied to a vehicle to blow out a wall or door.
Both business owners are now facing hefty repair bills and are hoping for the culprits to be caught soon. Mitchell warned other business owners to be on the lookout if they have ATMs or cash boxes on their premises.
“It’d be great if we could catch those two fellas that are causing a ruckus,” Mitchell said.
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