What started as a BOLO on a chilly December night in Gallatin may have tripped up a suspect in a multi-state ATM theft spree, according to local police.
On the evening of Dec. 20, 2025, Gallatin officers circulated a BOLO for a suspect and vehicle wanted in an attempted felony theft targeting local ATMs. A short time later, officers spotted a vehicle that matched the description and conducted a traffic stop on East Main Street near Cherokee Road, where they say they found tools inside that had been used in the attempt. Investigators now believe the same person may be connected to similar thefts in multiple states.
How the stop unfolded
According to the Hendersonville Police Department, Gallatin officers issued the BOLO at about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2025 after receiving reports and checking banks inside the city. The post explains that units then located a vehicle on East Main Street near Cherokee Road and carried out a traffic stop. Officers recovered tools from the vehicle that investigators say were used in the attempted ATM thefts.
The reel also notes that investigators suspect the individual may be tied to ATM thefts stretching from Texas to Kentucky and suggests the total losses could reach into the millions.
Gallatin police activity this winter
The stop comes amid a run of theft-related alerts from Gallatin police in recent weeks. The department issued a Dec. 17 appeal for help identifying a suspect in a theft case and handled an early-January ATM call that was later ruled a false report, according to Sumner County Source and Sumner County Source.
NewsChannel 5 has also covered several of Gallatin’s recent theft investigations, underscoring how busy local detectives have been with property crimes.
Interagency praise and follow-up
The Hendersonville Police Department shared a Facebook reel on Feb. 12, 2026, publicly praising Gallatin officers for the BOLO and the recovery, according to the Hendersonville Police Department. The post highlights how neighboring agencies routinely share real-time alerts when businesses or ATMs are targeted and credits that cooperation with helping get officers in the right place at the right time.
What police are asking of the public
Gallatin police and partner agencies are asking anyone who noticed suspicious activity, the described vehicle, or people lingering near ATMs on Dec. 20 to contact the department with information. Local coverage lists Gallatin Police at 615-452-1313 for tips, according to WSMV.
Why this matters
Attempts to break into ATMs can generate significant losses for small businesses and banks and usually trigger coordinated responses from multiple agencies. Similar ATM break-in attempts have been reported in Tennessee and elsewhere, often involving tools, tow straps, or even vehicles used as battering rams. Local reporting on past ATM theft cases and national coverage from ATMsecurity offer additional context on how these crimes are carried out.
The investigation into the Dec. 20 incident remains active, and law enforcement officials say they will release more details as they become available. Anyone with information is urged to contact Gallatin Police or submit tips to local authorities.
