Attempted ATM theft at Deer Run Petro Canada gas station

Calgary police are investigating the attempted theft of an ATM from a Petro Canada gas station in the community of Deer Run.

Officers were called to the gas station on Bow Bottom Trail and 137 Avenue S.E. at around 4 a.m. on Thursday.

Witnesses described seeing people with masks in a white truck with a chain dangling from the back.

The Calgary Police Service said the would-be thieves weren’t able to steal the ATM and had taken off by the time officers arrived. They confirmed the vehicle used in the incident was stolen.

Investigators are in the process of reviewing CCTV security footage.

In recent months, there have been several incidents similar in nature, including an attempt to steal and ATM from a gas station in January where the thieves ended up dragging the ATM behind a vehicle.

Police said in 2018, there were 81 ATM thefts in Calgary.

Generally, suspects used trucks or vans to try and steal the machines and then straps or chains to move the machines out of the stores.

CPS said the general public doesn’t need to be concerned with identity theft as thieves are generally concerned with the cash and they don’t keep the ATMS for very long.

In order to access personal information, suspects would have to use a skimming device that are installed on the ATMS.