TUSHKA, Okla. (KTEN) -- Following a string of attempted cash machine thefts across the Texas counties in Texoma, police in Tushka, Oklahoma are reporting another in Atoka County.

Investigators believe the thieves are the same ones involved in six other recent ATM thefts, including machines in Howe, Collinsville and Pottsboro, Texas.

Tushka police Chief Charles Sanders said the suspects this time targeted a free-standing AmeriState Bank cash machine on West Main Street. A stolen extended cab pickup truck was used to yank the ATM from its anchors around 3 a.m. Thursday. The suspects fled with some cash boxes.

"They took two boxes that had no money in it, and left all the good money; it was quite a substantial amount," Sanders said. "They did do a lot of damage to the ATM."

ATM thieves removed cash drawers from an AmeriState Bank location in Tushka on February 25, 2021.
ATM thieves removed cash drawers from an AmeriState Bank location in Tushka on February 25, 2021. (KTEN)

The thieves used a truck that had been stolen in Texas to commit the crime. The vehicle was abandoned with the engine still running not far from the crime scene.

Police are linking the cash machine crimes because in each case the suspects stole a pickup truck and attempted to pull the cash machine free.

 

The ATM in Tushka had recently opened on West Main Street.
The ATM in Tushka had recently opened on West Main Street. (KTEN)