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NW Bascom Norris Drive near Lowe’s is closed as authorities search for suspects who stole an ATM. -
The ATM was stolen from Ameris Bank early Friday morning.
A pair of suspects remain on the loose after making a large withdrawal from a Lake City bank Friday morning.
Responding to an alarm at the Ameris Bank on U.S. Highway 90 near the Lake City Mall at 4:52 a.m. Friday, Lake City police officers arrived to find the ATM missing from its foundation near the drive-through lane.
An LCPD release states the officers then followed drag marks in the asphalt around the back side of the mall and through the Lowe’s parking lot before exiting onto NW Bascom Norris Drive.
Meanwhile, another responding officer observed a white utility truck traveling north on Bascom Norris, pulling an ATM, according to the release.
When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, a pair of suspects fled into at the woods behind Lowe’s. One of the suspects was described as a white male with dark hair wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
The truck was reported stolen out of Madison County, according to LCPD.
NW Bascom Norris and NW Real Terrace were closed until lunch time as Lake City police officers as well as deputies from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, a K-9 unit from Baker Correctional Institution, the Florida Highway Patrol’s Drone Unit and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office’s Air Unit searched the area.
They were not found.
Greg Burnsed, an LCPD spokesman, said authorities will now try to identify the suspects through other means.
According to an LCPD release, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents also are assisting with the investigation into the theft.
Anyone with information about the theft should call the LCPD at 386-752-4343 and speak with Sgt. Kevin Johns. Information may also be reported anonymously by calling the LCPD TIPS line at 386-719-2068 or the Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099.