Three thieves tried to make an unauthorized withdrawal from the Chase Bank in Port Townsend but ended up making a direct deposit instead.
Police are investigating a recent theft attempt at the …
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Three thieves tried to make an unauthorized withdrawal from the Chase Bank in Port Townsend but ended up making a direct deposit instead.
Police are investigating a recent theft attempt at the bank branch on Kearney Street, where three thieves tried to steal the ATM on the property by hammering away at its housing and then trying to pull the machine out of its shelter with a truck.
There was a hitch, however.
The truck lost its taillight assembly from the right rear driver’s side during the attempted theft, and police responding to the scene found pieces of the truck in the bank parking lot, along with the hammer and chain used in the crime.
The felonious failure happened sometime between 4:50 and 5:03 a.m. Thursday, March 24, according to a case report from the Port Townsend Police Department.
After entering the parking lot, the trio tried to pry open the ATM’s outer door with a hammer, then pull it out with a tow hook with a red pickup truck, possibly a red Ford F-350 pickup truck, according to the case report.
The driver’s side of the pickup scraped against the shelter wall, causing extensive damage to the side and back end of the vehicle.
Just after 5 a.m. March 24, Port Townsend Police Officer Jason Greenspane was notified of suspicious activity at the bank and quickly arrived there.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was also called in to assist.
Greenspane estimated well over $6,500 in total damages to the ATM and cover shelter.
Police collected video and photo evidence of the incident and subsequent damage, and the case was handed off to Port Townsend Police Detective Jon Stuart to look into further.
The ATM has since been removed from the Chase Bank property and will likely be replaced at a later date.
“It’s still an ongoing investigation,” said Police Chief Thomas Olson.
“We’ve gotten camera footage of the bank … and it’s going to take some time to collect all of that and review everything.”
The truck used in the crime also had a red canopy, police said.
To report any information to assist with the case, contact the Port Townsend Police Department’s non-emergency line at 360-385-2322.
