NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted theft of an atm in Chireno.
The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call on Sunday shortly before 2 a.m. Two people were seen at a Shelby Savings Bank ATM on Hwy 21 and FM 95, trying burglarize and steal it.
“A local citizen there seen them doing it started hollering at them and scared them,” said Nacogdoches County Sheriff Jason Bridges.
Afterwards the Sheriff’s Office reached out to the public asking for help finding “at least two suspects.” On Monday, Sheriff Bridges said they are now looking for at least four people who aren’t local.
“We have identified three people, then there was a driver in another vehicle, so we’re probably looking at four,” Bridges said.
The suspects were also reported to have stolen a truck from Diboll about five to six hours before the attempted theft. Sheriff Bridges said his department and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office processed the truck. It was returned to the owner.
“We do know there’s groups that do this,” Bridges said. “They’re not from here, they pass through here. They usually travel in multiple vehicles. They usually come into areas and steal vehicles. They use those vehicles to do the robberies with.”
Sheriff Bridges said this is the second attempt made at that specific ATM. He said they have had unsuccessful and successful ATM thefts in the county and throughout East Texas.
“There could be an ATM inside of a store and they’re going to rip out the window and grab it,” Bridges said. “If they can get their hands on one, they’ll do anything to grab it.”
Sheriff Bridges said they helped a Louisiana agency make arrests for ATM thefts three weeks ago.
They are currently working with the FBI and other agencies to find those suspects.