A crew of late-night cash hunters is keeping East Austin convenience stores on edge, and police want the public’s help to shut them down. Detectives have released surveillance photos of several men they believe are behind a string of ATM thefts in June, with groups forcing machines open and walking off with the cash.
Investigators with the Commercial Burglary Unit opened Case 26-5006995 after several June incidents and tracked the activity to at least one location tied to the probe, according to the Austin Police Department. The still images show crews of three to five people, including a recurring muscular, bald Black man last seen in a gray sleeveless shirt, along with other suspects described as being in their late teens to early 20s and wearing hoodies, face coverings and gloves. Anyone with information is urged to email [email protected]. Tips can also go anonymously to Capital Area Crime Stoppers, where a reward of up to $1,000 may be available.
As reported by KVUE, police are actively searching for the men tied to the East Austin ATM thefts. The station’s coverage shows the surveillance images now circulating and notes that detectives are combing through store security footage as the investigation moves forward.
How the crews operated
According to investigators, the suspects zeroed in on convenience stores, then used power tools to crack open ATM units and grab the cash before taking off. Surveillance stills show small crews of three to five people working together, with at least one unmasked, muscular man appearing in multiple clips, per the Austin Police Department.
National spike in ATM attacks
Federal officials say these break-ins mirror a broader national spike in aggressive ATM attacks, including "jackpotting" schemes that have surged in recent years. In February, FBI analysts warned in a flash alert that more than 1,900 jackpotting incidents had been reported since 2020 and that losses topped $20 million in 2025. The Department of Justice has returned new indictments in a multistate jackpotting investigation, underscoring how local break-ins like the Austin thefts can connect to larger organized schemes.
How to report tips
Tips can be submitted anonymously to Capital Area Crime Stoppers, which operates a tip line at (512) 472-8477 and an online form on its website. Tipsters may be eligible for up to $1,000 in cash, and anyone who recognizes the people in the released photos or noticed suspicious activity around ATMs in June is asked to share whatever they know with investigators.
Legal implications
For anyone arrested in connection with forced-entry ATM thefts, state burglary and theft counts are likely to be the first charges on the table. When authorities uncover organized activity that crosses city or state lines, federal prosecutors can also pursue bank fraud and conspiracy charges. The Department of Justice has outlined how jackpotting and related ATM schemes often span multiple jurisdictions, which can trigger federal indictments alongside local charges and result in significantly tougher penalties.
