The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is on high alert, cracking down on a series of bold ATM burglaries that have hit the community. The thief or thieves have targeted stand-alone ATMs across a swath of Long Beach, executing a crime wave that stretched from late December through mid-January.
Law enforcement officials confirm that the first incident occurred on December 27, around 4:09 a.m. on the 1900 block of East Anaheim Street, with subsequent burglaries following a similar pattern. A man, whose identity remains masked by the darkness and his nondescript attire, utilized a 4-5’ prybar to pry open the machines and potentially seize the cash within. He's been described as a male of unknown race, wearing a red/burgundy, or black hoodie, and red shoes with white laces in at least two of the crimes.
In an effort to nip this burgeoning crime trend in the bud, LBPD officers have been connecting with local business operators, sharing the grim news of the burglaries and proffering tips to safeguard their establishments against similar fates.
Investigators have released a detailed timetable of the burglaries, hoping that it'll spark a memory or present a clue to the public. The burglaries occurred as follows: 12/27/23 about 4:09 a.m. - 1900 block of East Anaheim Street, 12/28/23 about 4:05 a.m. - 1800 block of Atlantic Avenue, 01/2/24 about 5:12 a.m. - 700 block of East Anaheim Street, 01/3/24 about 4:27 a.m. - 1000 block of East Pacific Coast Highway, 01/5/24 about 2:36 a.m. - 1000 block of East 7th Street, and, 1/12/24 about 5:40 a.m. - 400 block of Redondo Avenue.
If you know anything that could lead to the arrest of the individual or individuals behind these crimes, the LBPD has a Detective duo ready to field your tips. Detective X. Veloz and Detective M. Wyoski can be reached at 562-570-7351. Suspicious activity should be reported at 562.435.6711 and, in the event of an emergency, calling 9‑1‑1 could save the day.
The detailed account of the burglaries along with a photo of a typical stand-alone ATM has been shared by the Long Beach Police Department, published on February 1st, 2024.
