ATM Thieves Strike Mpls.' Bryn Mawr Neighborhood

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - In the past two weeks, robbers in Minneapolis' Bryn Mawr neighborhood have stolen two ATM machines from two separate businesses in brazen smash-and-grab thefts.

Cuppa Java coffee house and Bobby And Steve's Auto World were both targeted about one week apart. The first theft happened last Tuesday in the middle of the night. Cuppa Java's owner Robert Gillun has video of the incident, as well as damage from the aftermath.

"I can't believe that they would just smash out windows and grab things," Gillun said. "They smashed it, stepped in, wrapped a rope around it and then pulled it out."

And just across the street, a similar situation happened early Thursday morning. Randy Neis of Bobby and Steve's Auto World says there were two people caught on their surveillance tape, just like in the Cuppa Java theft.

The tape shows how the recently-installed Plexiglas wasn't enough to stop the thieves from smashing a truck through the business. After they smash open an entrance, another thief leaps inside with a strap attached to the truck. Once the strap goes around the ATM, the driver peels off – with the machine in tow.

"Within 20 seconds, they were gone," Neis said.

Both companies say they plan to step up security, and they caution other business owners to do the same.

"It's just a matter of time," Neis said. "They're gonna get caught."

The business owners aren't exactly sure how much was in the ATM machines, but they suspect it was around $1,000 each.

Both businesses say they hope insurance will cover most of the damage.