Newark Police have released some details regarding the Saturday morning ATM incidents that occurred in their jurisdiction.
Overnight, brazen thieves targeted multiple ATMs and gas stations across New Castle County, causing significant damage to the facades of several businesses. The exact timing of all of the incidents remains unclear, but initial reports indicated that four separate locations were hit.
Newark Police said shortly before 6:00 Saturday morning, a burglary occurred at the Sunoco in the 1100-block of South College Avenue. During the burglary, the unknown suspects used a vehicle to break the front windows of the business and attempted to remove the ATM. They fled the scene, leaving the ATM behind. The business was closed at the time of the burglary.
Within 10 minutes, the suspects went to a gas station in the 200-block of South Main Street. At least two suspects entered the business, which was open at the time, and jumped over the counter. They ordered the clerk to turn over cash according to officials. While that was occurring, a third suspect broke the front window of the business with a vehicle. The clerk fled the business, and the suspects fled with cash from the business. No weapon was displayed, and the clerk was not injured according to police.
In addition to the two Newark incidents, heavy damage was observed at the Sunoco gas station on Route 13 in New Castle, with comparable damage to the ATM and surrounding area. The ATM was abandoned after the thieves could not lift the safe into a van that was also left at the scene.
There are also unconfirmed reports that the Shell Station at Route 273 and Harmony Road in Newark was robbed as well. These cases are under investigation to determine the extent to which they are related.