Latest news with #ATMtheft
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
5 suspects wanted in Toronto distraction thefts part of organized group, police say
The Toronto Police Service have issued a news release warning the public to beware of criminals lurking around ATM's attempting to steal your bank card. The Toronto Police Service have issued a news release warning the public to beware of criminals lurking around ATM's attempting to distract you and steal your bank card. CTV's Pat Foran reports. Five suspects wanted in connection with distraction thefts that targeted seniors in Toronto are believed to be part of one organized group, police say. On Thursday, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) issued a news release warning the public to beware of criminals lurking around ATMs attempting to distract you and steal your bank card. They released photos of the suspects, who are three men and two women aged between 30 and 50 years old. Theft suspects Police say five suspects are wanted in multiple distraction theft and fraud investigations. (Toronto Police Service) Police said between October 2024 and February of this year, there were five reports of distraction thefts involving the same suspects. 'It's the same faces that are captured on camera, so we know it is one organized group, and it's not going to stop. It's not a random event, it's planned,' said Det. David Coffey with the TPS Fraud Unit. In each case, the suspects allegedly approached elderly people while they were using a bank machine. The suspects would distract the victims, steal their bank cards, and then use the stolen cards to withdraw funds from the victims' accounts. Police are advising the public that it's not just seniors who should take extra precautions when using bank machines. To avoid ATM distraction thefts, police advise residents to be aware of their surroundings, not to let anyone distract them and to avoid using an ATM if they feel unsafe. It's also advised to leave with your card and always shield your PIN during a transaction. Police said criminals will often stand behind the victim to 'shoulder surf' to see the PIN being entered, and once they have it, that's when the distraction begins. 'Once they get your PIN, they may fall to the ground and pretend they are injured, or they may put money on the ground and say you dropped it. That's when they distract you, and someone swoops around and gets your card,' said Coffey. 'Once they have your card and PIN, they can get your money.' Investigators also told CTV News you should remain cautious if someone appears to be a helpful stranger or a good Samaritan. Anyone recognizing the suspects is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously. Most ATMs have cameras, so when these types of crimes occur, they are usually caught on video. If you fall victim to a theft like this, contact your bank and the police right away.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Toronto Police looking for 5 suspects targeting the elderly in ATM ‘distraction' theft
Toronto Watch The Toronto Police Service have issued a news release warning the public to beware of criminals lurking around ATM's attempting to distract you and steal your bank card. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
CBC
13-06-2025
- CBC
Police search for 5 people who allegedly targeted elderly people at ATMs in 'distraction' thefts
Three men and two women are wanted by Toronto police for allegedly targeting elderly people at ATMs, stealing their bank cards and withdrawing money from their accounts. Police have released photos of five suspects wanted for "distraction theft and fraud," hoping the public will help to identify them. Police said they received five reports from Oct. 9, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2025 of elderly people being robbed throughout the Toronto area. In each case, police said the thieves approached an elderly person while they were using an ATM. The person's bank card was stolen when they were distracted. The suspects used the stolen bank card after each theft to withdraw money from the person's bank account. Each incident involved two to four suspects. The first suspect is described as male, 30 to 45 years old, 5 foot 10 inches to 6 foot 2 inches, with a medium build, dark coloured hair, and a full beard. The second suspect is described as male, 35 to 50 years old, 5 foot 8 inches to 5 foot 10 inches with a medium build, dark coloured hair, and a beard. The third suspect is described as male, 30 to 45 years old, 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 10 inches, with a medium build, dark coloured hair, and a goatee. The fourth suspect is described as female, 30 to 45 years old, 5 foot 2 inches to 5 foot 8 inches, with a medium build. The fifth suspect is described as female, 30 to 50 years old, 5 foot 5 inches to 5 foot 8 inches, with a heavy build, and long brown hair. Be aware of people around you when using ATM: police Police are reminding the public to do the following when using ATMs: Do not let anyone distract you during your transaction at an ATM or while making a debit or credit purchase in a store, even if they may appear to be a helpful stranger. Be aware of others around you when using an ATM. Avoid using an ATM if you see suspicious people nearby. Remember to always shield your PIN at an ATM or while making a debit or credit purchase. When you've finished a transaction, take your cash quickly and discreetly put your card away before leaving the ATM. Do not use an ATM if there are signs of tampering or if suspicious devices are visible.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Thieves stole an ATM machine from TD branch in Brampton, bank says
Social Sharing An automated teller machine was stolen from a TD branch in Brampton on Thursday but no one was hurt in the early morning robbery, the bank has confirmed. Peel Regional Police said officers were called to the area of Queen Street E. and Rutherford Road N. in Brampton for an alarm call at about 4:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found that the building had been damaged. The robbery occurred at branch number 1180 on Queen Street E., according to Natasha Ferrari, senior manager, corporate communications for TD Bank Group. "TD is working with local authorities with their investigation and no injuries were reported," Ferrari said in an email on Thursday. The bank did not say how the ATM was stolen. Police would not confirm that an ATM was stolen but said the investigation is continuing. Ferrari said customers can go to two nearby TD branches that have ATMs with 24-hour access. These branches are located at 60 Peel Centre Dr. and 103 Brickyard Way. "We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause and we greatly appreciate their patience," she said.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment masked gang drive their Volkswagen into a Co-op - before driving off with the cash machine
A gang of masked robbers smashed a car into a Co-op store in a dramatic ram-raid before making off with the cash machine. The brazen criminals drove a dark Volkswagen Touareg straight into the front of the convenience store in Christchurch, Dorset, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Witnesses reported seeing the group using an array of tools to rip the ATM from the wall and haul it into the back of the vehicle. A second vehicle, a blue Audi RS3, was also spotted speeding away from the scene shortly after the raid, which took place at around 2:30am. Police were called and arrived within minutes, cordoning off the area at 2:43am as a full investigation was launched. A spokesperson from Dorset police confirmed: 'A full investigation has been launched to determine the full circumstances of the incident.' The Co-op store has since re-opened, but staff and residents have been left shaken by the ordeal. A spokesperson for the Co-op said: 'There was an incident in the early hours of yesterday morning where there was an attack on the community's ATM. 'We appeal for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to come forward to Police, who are investigating. 'We would like to thank the Police for the speed of their response. The store is now reopen to serve the community.' No arrests have yet been made, and police are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area to come forward. It comes after two masked robbers were captured on CCTV as they ripped out a shop till while threatening a shopkeeper with a metal wrench. The terrified member of staff was standing behind the counter of the shop in Newport, South Wales, when it was raided by the masked suspects in December. Footage from security cameras shows one robber repeatedly slamming the large metal tool on the shop counter before ripping out the till. And earlier this month, two masked teenagers who robbed a great-grandmother in her own home before leaving her alone for hours as she lay injured on the floor and crying out for 'mummy', were locked up for two years in a youth detention centre. Joy Middleditch, 82, died just days after she was discovered seriously injured inside her bungalow in Pakefield, Suffolk, by her family, having been left on the floor for 12 hours after she was burgled and robbed. She was conscious and breathing, but found to have five broken ribs and bruising before dying in James Paget Hospital, Great Yarmouth on March 27, 2023.
