Investigation into ATM theft continues

  • The ATM stolen from the Ameris Bank near the Lake City Mall was left behind the utility truck when suspects fled from authorities Friday. The investigation into the theft continues. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)
    The ATM stolen from the Ameris Bank near the Lake City Mall was left behind the utility truck when suspects fled from authorities Friday. The investigation into the theft continues. (COURTESY LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT)

Three days after an ATM was stolen from a Lake City bank, the investigation into the robbers continues.

Greg Burnsed, a spokesman for the Lake City Police Department, said Monday that officers are waiting for video surveillance from the Ameris Bank on U.S. Highway 90 near the Lake City Mall in the hopes that it will provide some clues as to the thieves’ identities. Burnsed added it wasn’t the suspects’ first attempt at stealing an ATM either.

“Apparently these guys tried to steal an ATM out in the county a couple days prior to,” he said.

While they successfully stole the ATM from Ameris on Friday morning, the suspects didn’t get far.

An alarm alerted LCPD and responding officers followed the drag marks on the pavement from the bank around the Lake City Mall and through the Lowe’s parking lot.

Another responding officer noticed the truck pulling the ATM and attempted a traffic stop near the Lowe’s on NW Bascom Norris Drive. The two suspects fled into the woods behind the Lowe’s. A manhunt that lasted until lunchtime Friday was unsuccessful. The search included K-9 units from Baker Correctional Institution, a drone unit from the Florida Highway Patrol and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Air Unit in addition to LCPD and deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also have helped assist in the investigation, although LCPD remains the lead agency.

In addition to video from Ameris, Burnsed said LCPD is checking with other businesses to see if they have any video around the time of the theft that can also help lead to the suspects.

The two suspects — one was described as a white male with dark hair wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans — used a utility truck stolen out of Madison County. LCPD investigators met with authorities in Madison County on Monday to try to work together to catch the suspects.