Thieves use sledgehammer, steal ATM from store

Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News

Detroit police are investigating an early Friday morning break-in at a store on the city's west side.

Police said the thieves stole an automatic teller machine from the business.

Police released surveillance images showing two of the suspects in the early-morning heist.

The incident happened at about 3:11 a.m. Friday in the 19100 block of Livernois near Seven Mile, said Detroit police spokesman Dontae Freeman.

Police are looking for four men who were wearing black masks and used a sledgehammer as well as crowbars to break into the business through its front plate glass window. Two wore white gloves. 

A third suspect was seen inside the store about 3:10 a.m. Friday.

The group of men pulled up to the store in a silver, older-model large SUV, such as a Chevy Tahoe or a GMC Yukon, and then smashed through the window, according to officials.

The fourth suspect in the group that stole an ATM from the business.

Once inside, the men loaded the ATM into their vehicle and fled west on Seven Mile, police said. The ATM had an undisclosed amount of cash in it.

The thieves arrived in a large SUV, such as a Chevy Tahoe or a GMC Yukon, and then smashed through the window, investigators said.

"Also observed was a light colored Van with black paneling on the front driver’s side," investigators said in a statement. "The van appeared to be trailing the SUV."

Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has any information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department 12th Precinct Investigative Unit at (313) 596-1240. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @CharlesERamirez