Police: Eight people arrested in alleged serial ATM theft operation

Plano police were already on the scene and arrested the alleged suspects at about 6 a.m. The Denton officer arrived later.

The Denton Record-Chronicle contacted the Plano Police Department for more clarification on the alleged theft with no response.

According to the Plano police news release, the arrests were part of a multijurisdictional operation to arrest the suspects accused of burglarizing more than 50 ATMs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The release says a similar ATM theft occurred at a 7-Eleven in the 3600 block of 14th Street in Plano on May 25.

At about 6:20 a.m., five unknown suspects backed a stolen pickup up to the front of the store and smashed the window.

The store clerk stood behind the counter as the group wrapped a chain around the ATM and forcefully tore the ATM from the store using the pickup, stealing an unknown amount of cash.

The damage was expected to cost several thousands of dollars to repair. The thieves then fled the scene in the pickup.

The truck used on the scene was reportedly stolen from Garland and was later discovered at an apartment complex in the area.

Detectives investigating a similar burglary committed in Plano were able to identify several vehicles they thought were being used by the suspects, and they were able to determine specific methods used in these organized ATM burglaries.

Multiple police agencies that had similar burglaries were contacted to assist in the investigation.

The eight suspects were charged with theft of ATM property under $300,000, which is a second-degree felony, and are being held at the Denton County Jail.

Police expect to add additional charges.

Other reports

2600 block of West University Drive — An 18-year-old woman who is currently booked at the Denton County Jail was additionally charged with theft, accused of stealing more than $8,000 worth of merchandise, according to a police report.

The theft occurred at about 7:20 p.m. April 20 as officers were dispatched to the Bath & Body Works in the 2600 block of West University Drive.

A manager told officers that six people stole about 70 items valued at approximately $8,600.

The manager told officers that two men and two women walked into the store and grabbed shopping bins. Then two more men walked in, and all allegedly grabbed around 70 items from store shelves without paying for them.

The report says the Bath & Body Works corporate loss prevention was able to identify the 18-year-old woman.

Denton Police Department detectives followed up with the suspect at the Denton County Jail, where the woman told officers she was one of the people who stole items at the store.

According to Denton County Jail records, the woman was arrested and booked by the Lewisville Police Department on May 26 for multiple charges, including engaging in organized criminal activity, failing to identify as a fugitive with intent to provide false or fraudulent information, two counts of organized retail theft and theft between $750 less than $2,500.

The report says surveillance video showed the woman taking items with the other suspects. No other suspects have been arrested.

The woman was charged with theft between $2,500 and $30,000.

Roundup

From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Friday, the Denton Police Department handled 438 service and officer-initiated calls and made seven arrests.