NYC police: Backhoe bank thieves part of pattern

[July 27, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- New York City police are looking for thieves who used a backhoe to ram a wall and an ATM at a bank.

Police say the suspects left the backhoe running when they fled the Chase Bank branch in the Maspeth section of Queens early Friday.

The backhoe was reported missing from a nearby construction site. Police say it's unclear if any money was taken.

Detectives say it's part of a pattern of several smash-and-grab thefts. The suspects use tools, vehicles or construction equipment to break into ATMs.

Most thefts occur in the early morning hours. They're mostly in Brooklyn and Queens.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.