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VIDEO: Fircrest Police seek 2 suspects caught on camera breaking into store, stealing ATM

By FOX 13 News Staff
Published  September 6, 2023 7:12pm PDT
Fircrest
FOX 13 Seattle

Suspects try 3 stores before breaking in, stealing ATM

Detectives with the Fircrest Police Department are asking for your help—they saw two suspects ripped an ATM right out of its place, and the heist was captured on surveillance video.

FIRCREST, Wash. - Fircrest Police need help identifying two suspects caught on camera busting into a convenience store and stealing its ATM.

According to authorities, the suspects rolled up to an AM/PM at Center and Union in Tacoma early in the morning Aug. 16, but did not attempt entry. They reportedly drove down to another closed convenience store and tried to cut the locks of its front door.

Police say a person living nearby scared them off, and they drove away.

They followed Center St west just out of Tacoma city limits, heading into Fircrest, then drove down to the OMG Food Mart at 4040 S Orchard St.  

The two broke into the store with a crowbar—one went to look for lottery tickets and the other went to the store's ATM. Surveillance video captured them pulling the ATM from its mount and pushing it back outside.

Police say they loaded the ATM into a white Suburban SUV and sped off.

Owner Khaled Elwardi says the cost of the damage and theft is between $8,000 and $10,000.

"We came here looking for the American dream and now, it's a nightmare. Every night I go home thinking I am going to get a call in the middle of the night because something happened. It's very hard. It's not easy anymore and you don't feel secure anywhere," said  Elwardi.

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Detectives were unable to get license plate information from the Suburban. but say there was a 12 x3" sticker below the glass on the left rear side of the SUV. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. Roberts with Fircrest Police at jroberts@cityoffircrest.net, or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS for a cash reward of up to $1,000. You can also text the information through the P3 Tips App that you can download to your cell phone for free.