Police searching for group stealing ATMs from businesses across NYC

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Police say they are on the hunt for a group of individuals wanted for stealing ATMs from businesses across the city.

Investigators say the individuals are using vehicles and license plates that they have stolen to drive around the city, break into commercial establishments, and take the ATMs.

PIX11 News obtained surveillance video from one of the inside cameras of Harjeet Singh’s bodega in East Elmhurst, Queens. His ATM was stolen just before Christmas Eve.

“The store was closed. At 2:30 a.m., they broke the door, entered, and took the ATM within 5-10 minutes,” said Singh.

Singh explained that the perpetrators first broke two outside security cameras before smashing down the front door to forcibly remove the ATM. He added he will not be getting a new one as he worries it could get stolen again

“We are too much worried, the business is already slow and people you know. Scary here,”  stated Singh.

According to the NYPD, 48 other incidents like this one have occurred citywide between Sept. 19 and Dec. 26, 2024.

In October 2024, PIX11 News reported on a similar robbery pattern by two suspects targeting these money machines in 20 businesses across Brooklyn and Manhattan between June and mid-September. The NYPD confirmed to PIX11 News Monday evening these two robbery patterns are not related.

PIX11 News asked Singh how much money the ATM had when it was stolen. “$1500 to $2000,” he responded.

Meanwhile, Kenny Patel who has been a bodega owner for 30 years says in addition to not leaving much cash in the ATM overnight, he and his team are staying vigilant 24/7.

“We have the alarm on. We are four people sometimes we call the police and everything,” said Patel.

And as police continue to track down these suspects, they ask anyone with information to contact them. That number is 1-800-577-tips.