Law enforcement in Morrison County is on the lookout for a group of suspects tied to the attempted theft of an ATM from a bank in Pierz, an incident that took place late at night on February 24th. The Morrison County Sheriff's Office disclosed through a press release that the attempted theft occurred at about 11:16 pm at Farmers & Merchants State Bank on Main Street.
Adding detail to the events, the Sheriff's Office explained that the perpetrators tried to pull the ATM off its foundation using a chain and a truck, which was later reported stolen from Fergus Falls, MN. The would-be thieves abandoned their efforts when they could not load the ATM into a getaway vehicle: a light-colored SUV, subsequently fleeing the scene. Deputies who responded to the report established a perimeter and scoured the vicinity with both a K9 unit and a MN State Patrol aircraft but the suspects managed to evade capture.
Investigative efforts have suggested potential links between this event and similar instances of attempted ATM heists in Crookston and Pelican Rapids within the past week, raising suspicions that the same individuals may be orchestrating these crimes. The press release mentions that "There are at least three individuals involved, with two attempting the theft and one driving the getaway vehicle."
Surveillance footage was reviewed, yielding images of the light-colored suspect vehicle, and two individuals clad in black during the attempted ATM robbery. These images have been released in the hope of gaining assistance from the public, specifically residents who were asked to check their surveillance cameras for any unusual activity that took place between 10:30 pm and 11:30 pm on the night of the theft. Anyone with pertinent information is urged to reach out to the Morrison County Sheriff's Office at 320-632-9233.
Supported by the Pierz Police Department and the MN State Patrol, the Sheriff's Office's investigation remains ongoing as they pursue leads to apprehend those responsible for these crimes against the community's financial institutions. In the meantime, citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities they might observe.
