Three men suspected of stealing ATMs and attempted to steal cash machines in Long Beach have been taken into custody, the Long Beach Police Department said Friday.
Investigators said there had been a “series of incidents” during which the suspects wrapped a heavy-duty chain around the stand-alone ATMs and pulled them with a stolen SUV to steal the machines.
Two of the incidents include the ATM thefts at gas stations on Paramount Boulevard and Long Beach Boulevard in mid-July.
While running away from the theft on Long Beach Boulevard, the suspects, police said, struck a female pedestrian with their car and took off without offering her help. The hit-and-run victim suffered from “life-threatening injuries,” according to police.
The suspects, 36-year-old Luis Torres of Lynwood, 29-year-old Richard Moran of Compton, 32-year-old Clarence Hardiman of Compton, were held without bail as they face grand theft, vandalism, burglary and hit-and-run charges.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a large chain, similar to ones that were used in previous thefts and attempted thefts, as well as a stolen car and stolen motorcycle.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the Burglary Detail at 562.570.7351 or LBPDBurglary@longbeach.gov.