People Are Blowing Up, Or Just Taking, ATMs In Philadelphia

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    A member of the Philadelphia bomb squad surveys the scene after an ATM machine was blown-up at 2207 N. 2nd Street in Philadelphia, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. (David Maialetti/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

    PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Explosions have destroyed or damaged 50 cash machines in and near Philadelphia since the weekend, and one man has died, in a coordinated effort to steal them or blow them up and take the money inside, authorities said.

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    The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading the investigation, and no arrests have been announced. A 24-year-old man died hours after trying to break into an ATM early Tuesday, and explosives were recovered, police said.

    But the ATM hits have continued, with explosions echoing overnight into Wednesday in the city or just outside it. Police are asking businesses that host the machines to take the cash out to discourage further hits.

    “It’s not worth it,” Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said Wednesday. “It’s not worth the injuries that we’re seeing associated with this, and it’s not worth the risk to the community and the danger that it’s been imposing.”

    Outlaw leads a department that this week used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds protesting the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a black man who died in handcuffs while a police officer pressed a knee on his neck.

    Outlaw made her comments Wednesday while taking follow-up questions at a news briefing about the unrest, noting a “marked increase in attempts to forcibly enter ATM machines.”

    A damaged ATM machine outside a KeyBank branch in downtown Pittsburgh on Sunday, May 31, 2020. Along with the damaged ATM, windows were broken during a march in Pittsburgh, Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day, May 25. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

    She and other officials have not hinted whether they believe the ATM hits might be a crime of opportunity during the unrest, could have some other connection or are altogether unrelated.

    Cash machines in some other cities, including Pittsburgh and Minneapolis, have been looted or damaged in recent days, but Philadelphia’s problem appears to be on a larger scale.

    Thieves have blown up the machines, usually at convenience stores and gas stations, in at least 50 cases to get to the cash, while sometimes the entire machines are stolen, officials said.

    Around 5 a.m. Wednesday, the ATM hits spread outside the city for the first time to neighboring Upper Darby Township when an explosion was reported at a machine outside a strip-mall nail salon.


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    16 Comments
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    Ralph
    Ralph
    3 years ago

    They have every right !!!

    Golden Medina
    Golden Medina
    3 years ago

    Even Mad Dog Mattis, Matt Drudge, Michael Savage and Defense Sec Espers have turned vs trumpf. 500 peaceful demonstrations. Trumpf hides in Bunker.

    Willie Sutton
    Willie Sutton
    3 years ago

    Because that’s where the money is.

    Educated Archy
    Educated Archy
    3 years ago

    Call in the national guard and shoot to kill these beastly looters. Enough of this stupidty .

    Peaceful protests ? Yes
    Looters ? Zero tolerance. Shoot to kill. And no it’s not just the money they want . They are looking to smack us in the face . They want to say they are entitled . They want to say all rich whose boys are evil . They are slapping everything we stand for . Shoot to kill these viscous animals

    GO HOME FOOLS, HILLARY IS BOOZING AND SMASHING MIRRORS: JOHN PODESTA
    GO HOME FOOLS, HILLARY IS BOOZING AND SMASHING MIRRORS: JOHN PODESTA
    3 years ago

    It’s insane how politicians, church ministers, even moderates are kissing the feet of thugs , murderers, scum and thieves. Mattis is a Democrat and globalist , Drudge is being bribed and Esper is a swampmongers who like Jew traitor Vindman, thinks he’s president.
    I’ll say that Trump has bad luck in choosing employees, who were Brutus doublecrossers.
    But come 2020, millions will elect the greatest president in our lifetime.
    The people will have the last word.
    MAGA

    Hooper St.
    Hooper St.
    3 years ago

    Michael Savage?
    Everyone knows he’s a psycho schitzo who’s jealous because Trump only recognizes other conservative talk hosts and not him.
    He got thrown off most outlets.

    FLA. PA.MI . WISC TXS..... BRING IT ON..!!!
    FLA. PA.MI . WISC TXS..... BRING IT ON..!!!
    3 years ago

    Put Pennsylvania in the Trump column.

    ” Rapist Joe no longer has a path for more Electoral votes “.
    Luv it !!!!

    anonymous
    anonymous
    3 years ago

    This country has gone to Hexx and is the laughing stock of the entire world and sadly, rightfully so.
    This Floyd guy didn’t deserve a death penalty by this dumb and idiotic cop, agreed but any country that allows citizens to act like barbarians from the Middle Ages should hang their head in shame.

    This dibalzio choilem goilem is alot at fault here in NYC and he wanted to be POTUS, for shame !

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    3 years ago

    I called my wife and told her to cut it out.

    ANON21
    ANON21
    3 years ago

    I beg to differ. It is worth the injuries. Let these thugs get hurt. It’s the only language they understand

    yumyum
    yumyum
    3 years ago

    The business who host the machines should take out all the money and fill the machine chocolate cream pie , that’s what the looters need , BLACK chocolate cream pie .

    dargo
    dargo
    3 years ago

    black pie matters

    ding dong
    ding dong
    3 years ago

    The city of brotherly love .