ATM ROBBERY AT LOCAL CHASE BANK

In the early morning hours yesterday, (Thursday) between the hours of 3am - 4 am at the Chase Bank on N. 2nd E., the bank alarms were activated. Mountain Home Police department responded to what appeared to be an ATM robbery. In speaking with Det. Griggs, MHPD at this time were not able to answer the question as to whether any cash amounts had or had not been taken as the ATM had been secured that morning as is and had then waited for ATM operators to respond. Griggs also commented "it will need to be replaced." At the time of the interview with Det. Griggs on Thursday, MHPD had not yet retrieved the surveillance footage from the bank cameras. They were also in the process of canvassing the area and checking with any other businesses in the vicinity that might have camera footage as well.

This type of incident appears to be familiar with the May 2021 robbery at First Interstate Bank.

What could be reported to the Mountain Home News was that there had been a stolen vehicle earlier in the night, and then the stolen vehicle was used to "breach" the ATM, pull the cash drawers and abandon the vehicle and simply disappear as in previous robberies which led police to believe they are not local. This also appears to be the Modus Operandi of other possible attempts in the last year as early as just this past June. There have been other stolen vehicles, then abandoned in the area in what may appear to be not following through with established patterns or making any possible attempts but these incidents have not been verified. On the other hand, they could be locally based criminal activity who steal a vehicle and abandon later. These types of robberies have been reported through out the Treasure Valley in media in what could be called traveling criminal crews. They have also been known to enter big box stores like WalMart that are available right off the freeway with easy ins, then easy exit out where multiple individuals will come in, grab and snatch Electronics, and like the ATM robberies just disappear. As one staff member here commented, "highway bandits", just like out of the movies.

As this is an ongoing investigation the Mountain Home Police Department is asking anyone that might have been traveling in the area at the time of the incident to please contact Sgt. Lakeman rlakeman@mhpd.net or 208-587-2101, who is the case officer in this case, or Det. Griggs with information or anything you might have witnessed or appeared to of be suspicious.

The Mountain Home News is appreciative of our local Police and Sheriff's department as well as all our emergency response teams available to us in our community. Thank you! The tip of the day is "always park your vehicle going the right way along curbs".