Officers are searching for suspects after thieves broke into an Eastlake business and stole an ATM Saturday and unsuccessfully attempted a similar heist in North Seattle early this morning.
Police were dispatched to a closed convenience store in the 2200 block of Eastlake Ave E. at 4:30 AM Saturday after receiving a report of an open door. When officers arrived they found an ATM sign on the ground outside and discovered the lock on the door had been damaged. Inside, police found the shop’s ATM had been taken.
Detectives are now reviewing evidence left at the scene and video surveillance for clues to the identity of the suspects.
In the second incident, an employee of a restaurant in the 12300 block of 30 Ave NE. called 911 at 5 AM Monday, after he spotted a man in a van attempting to make off with a business’s ATM. The witness described the suspect as a 35-year-old white male wearing a baseball cap and blue flannel shirt. The witness said the suspect had attached the ATM to his van with a chain, which broke loose when the man attempted to drive away. The witness last saw the van Northbound on 30 Ave NE.
Officers searched the area, but were unable to find the suspect.
Police are investigating whether the cases may be connected, and are asking anyone with information about either incident to call 911.