Cops: Man smashes ATM with sledgehammer

Suspect didn't steal money, police say

OCOEE, Fla. – Ocoee police are searching for the suspect they say hit three different bank ATMs across the street from each other with a sledgehammer, but wasn't trying to steal money.

Police said the suspect damaged three different ATMs four times, one at the SunTrust Bank on Monday night and the other at the Bank of America on Thursday, both located on West Colonial Drive.

The suspect used a rock in the first vandalism at the SunTrust ATM, police said. The second time, the suspect opted for a sledgehammer. He then used the same sledgehammer with two Bank of America machines.

Video showed the suspect get out of his car, walk up to the drive-thru ATM and hit the ATM repeatedly with a sledgehammer, according to the report.

Police said suspect did about $20,000 in damage to each machine, totaling $60,000 in damage.

Police say they haven't seen anything like it before.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Sgt. Brian Satterlee of Ocoee Police Department. "Anytime something's been with ATMs, it's to steal money. I've never seen anyone who wants to damage property at an ATM and take off like that."

The video suggests the suspect didn't steal any money, only vandalized the machines.

The suspect is described as a white male, in his 20s or 30s and slim build. He was wearing a black leather jacket, big sunglasses and dark colored pants.

Police said the suspect drove away in a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.

Contact Ocoee police if you have any information on the suspect.


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