Thieves use forklift to steal Fifth Third ATM in Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Toledo Police are investigating another brazen ATM heist.

This time it happened at the Library Plaza on Dorr Street. Crooks used a forklift to rip off the Fifth Third ATM, and it turns out the forklift was stolen, too. Now police are investigating whether if these are the same thieves who stole an ATM last month.

The frame of the Fifth Third ATM is all that’s left after thieves allegedly tried to steal it with a forklift. On Dec. 17 just before 8 a.m., construction workers building homes on Linden Lane, located behind the Reynolds Corner Library, arrived at work to find a forklift running and they were shocked to see what was on it.

“Next thing you know, there’s a freaking ATM attached to the fricking lull,” plumber Erik Howitt said. “The front of the screen where you actually punch in all your codes and everything, then the actual like metal around the ATM was there.”

The thieves allegedly used the forklift to rip the cash machine out of the ground.

“They hot-wired it and took off,” said Howitt. “How they got so far I don’t know because when I left it on Sunday three weeks ago, there was no fuel in it.”

Toledo Police called businesses in the plaza to see if they had any surveillance video.

“I got to the barbershop around eight o’clock in the morning,” barbershop owner Steven Parker said. “When I got there, I seen the police surrounding the ATM that’s located in our parking lot. I received a phone call, then they were questioning me about if I had cameras.”

According to a police report, officers attempted to ask businesses in the area if they had any cameras working, but they were unsuccessful.

This is the second ATM that’s been stolen in Toledo in the last month.

“They’re all under investigation. We can’t say if they’re connected or not,” TPD Lt. Paul Davis said. “Both this one and the one from last month were near construction sites. So, if you hear something going on, or you see someone using heavy equipment that doesn’t seem like it’s at the right hour of the day, definitely give us a call.”

A spokesperson for Fifth Third Bank said they are working with the police.

Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals