Port Ludlow ATM wouldn't budge for burglar

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Just before 3 a.m. Thursday, May 28, a masked burglar tried and failed to make off with an ATM inside the Port Ludlow Village Store, 40 Village Way.

Jefferson County Sheriff's detectives could not immediately identify the suspect's vehicle due to a lack of video surveillance outside the store, but say they are now investigating a lead in the case after speaking with a witness who provided a vehicle description.

Video surveillance inside the store yielded “very poor images,” detective Brett Anglin said.

Deputies responded to a burglary alarm report received at 3:02 a.m. When they arrived on scene three minutes later, the lone suspect had fled, likely frightened by an audible alarm and discouraged by the fact the ATM was well-secured to the floor.

“Based on amount of time spent in the store, we believe the suspect has a history of this or has planned it for a significant amount of time,” said Anglin, pointing out there is as much as a seven-minute delay from the time the alarm sounds to when the alarm company reports it to the sheriff's office.

The suspect broke a window and affixed a chain to the machine, then attempted to pull the machine through the window with the chain connected to the suspect's vehicle. The chain was left behind.

“You never know what can lead us to a suspect but, at this point, we don't believe the chain will lead us to anyone specific,” Anglin said.

Detective Ryan Menday is leading the investigation. Those who may have seen anything suspicious around that time are encouraged to contact Menday at (360) 385-3831 ext. 773.