Provincial police are telling business owners to rethink having ATMs in their stores following a rash of bank machine thefts across southern Ontario.
Thieves have targeted 58 businesses in Brant, Waterloo, Hamilton, Owen Sound, and Niagara since January of last year, according to the West Region OPP Crime Unit.
In each of the cases, a suspect or suspects walks into the business during normal operating hours to scope out the location of the ATM. The culprits then return between midnight and 5am, ram a stolen vehicle through the front entrance or window of the business, and wrap a chain around the bank machine before forcibly ripping it from the business.
Damage from these thefts has ranged between $20,000 and $250,000, with some of the buildings being left structurally unsound.
Police say any business with an ATM, including gas stations, variety stores, restaurants and shopping malls, are potential targets. They're asking business owners to reevaluate the benefits of having an ATM when the average profit is approximately .20 cents for every $20 dispensed.
Business owners are also encouraged to report all suspicious activity to police immediately.
As the vehicles used in these thefts have been stolen pick-ups and SUVs, police are reminding vehicle owners to always lock up and keep their keys with them.