ATM burglary suspects flee Puyallup cops. Police investigating several theft attempts
At least two people trying to break into an ATM on Tuesday morning at a bank in Puyallup sped away from police in two vehicles. Puyallup police are investigating attempted ATM burglaries or vandalism at three businesses from the last few days.
According to Puyallup Police Department, the would-be thieves were not able to access any of the machines. In one attempted burglary, police said suspects used a vehicle to ram a gas station convenience store on Main Avenue. Capt. Don Bourbon said police don’t have a reason to suspect the incidents are connected, but they continue to investigate.
Officers were first dispatched at about 2:09 a.m. for a report of a theft in progress at a Wells Fargo bank in the 400 block of 39th Avenue Southwest. According to a news release, surveillance video showed two suspects dressed in black with facial coverings trying to break into an ATM.
Police arrived with their lights activated, but the suspects fled in a blue pickup and a black SUV. Officers did not chase the vehicles. State law prohibits police from pursuing vehicles without probable cause to believe a person has committed a violent offense.
At about 6:41 a.m., officers were dispatched for a report of a commercial burglary at the Union 76 gas station in the 1500 block of East Main Avenue. Police said based on damage at the scene, it appeared that someone drove a vehicle into the building multiple times. According to the release, it’s unknown if those people were trying to break into the ATM inside.
At some point over the weekend, police said an ATM at the US Bank in the 200 block of 39th Avenue SW was damaged. The incident was reported at 4 p.m. Sunday. Police said there were burn marks on both sides of the ATM and a piece was torn off.
Bourbon said officers also responded Tuesday morning to a break-in at an Italian restaurant in the 400 block of East Main Avenue. He said the front doors were broken and the business was rummaged through, but it didn’t appear that anything was taken.
This story was originally published October 11, 2022 at 3:02 PM.
