ATM burglary fails

The burglary occurred at a Kwik Store east of Columbia.

By Alicia Stice

Published Sept. 11, 2009

Suspects in a convenience store burglary failed in their attempt to drag the store's ATM from its foundation with their full-sized van, stated a news release from the Boone County Sheriff's Department.

Tuesday morning, the suspects forced their way into the Kwik Store, located east of Columbia on St. Charles Road, by breaking through the glass front door. The news release also stated the owner of the Kwik Store, which was closed at the time of the burglary, discovered the damage just before 6 a.m. and called police.

Upon arriving, deputies discovered the store's ATM with a broken strap tied around it. The strap was seen breaking on footage from the store's security camera as the suspects attempted to pull the ATM from the ground, the news release stated.

O'Sullivan said there were at least two people involved in the case. The suspect visible on security cameras came into the store to take approximately 10 cartons of cigarettes before making a getaway.

The suspect was described as wearing dark clothing, the news release stated.

The van, which was light in color, did not appear to sustain any significant damage during the burglary.

Although this crime is similar to an incident in Harrisburg, in which a suspect tried to steal an ATM by driving a truck into it, there is no evidence Tuesday's burglary is linked to any other crimes, O'Sullivan said.

"We haven't ruled anything out, but I can't state definitively that there's any connection between the two incidents," he said.