ATM smash-and-grab bandits

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile Police said a group of thieves targeted cash machines at local convenience stores. Police were alerted by the stores' burglar alarms.

The signs read temporarily closed and please use other door. The glass front of the Chevron store on Cottage Hill Road was shattered. Police said the suspects used a white Chevy Caprice to break inside.

"Three suspects entered. They were able to get the ATM machine from that place," Officer Christopher Levy said.

About 30 minutes earlier, police believe the same thieves committed the same crime down the street at another convenience store but weren't successful.

"Went to the GB station and used that car to make entrance into the store by knocking out the front window, and attempting to take the cash register and ATM machine from the store," Levy added.

Both businesses were closed and the suspects got in and out.

"They are going very quickly. When we receive alarms the officers respond and they arrive within minutes of us receiving alarms and they're already gone. It's a very quick process," he said.

So far police don't have any suspects but are investigating leads. The car used to commit the crime was reported stolen.

"Prichard actually recovered that vehicle this morning, it had been burned," Levy said.

There's been a few of these ATM smash and grab crimes in the past month. Police said they're comparing these cases to see if any of them are related.