Forklift allegedly used to steal ATM in Texas

[December 17, 2008]  BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) -- Talk about picking up some extra cash in time for the holidays.

Beaumont police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in an ATM theft in which a forklift apparently was used to put the electronic money dispenser into a truck.

Police before dawn responded to an alarm at a Wells Fargo branch. They discovered an exterior ATM was gone and the forklift nearby, with its motor running.

A white truck had been seen near the bank as officers responded to the alarm. Police later spotted the vehicle and detained the 42-year-old Houston man who was driving.

Police found the ATM in the back of the truck, which investigators determined had been stolen.

The suspect is facing charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and felony theft of the ATM. Police are trying to figure out where he got the forklift.

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Information from KFDM-TV: http://www.kfdm.com/

[Associated Press]

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