In a shocking crackdown on organized crime, law enforcement officials have arrested 13 suspects linked to a massive ATM theft ring that terrorized North Texas. According to authorities, this highly coordinated group is responsible for more than 70 brazen robberies across cities including Fort Worth, Dallas, Bedford, Arlington, and Grapevine.
The suspects allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars by ripping ATMs straight out of businesses. Surveillance footage from one of the heists at a 7-Eleven in Fort Worth captured the terrifying moment when a suspect smashed through a glass window with a sledgehammer. Within seconds, a pickup truck, attached to the ATM with a tow hook and chains, yanked the machine out into the parking lot before speeding away.
“This was a brazen, very quick, very violent type of offense,” Fort Worth PD Detective Brian Raynsford stated, emphasizing the ruthless efficiency of the crime ring.
Police soon realized these attacks were not isolated. A joint task force, including officers from multiple North Texas police departments and Texas DPS, launched an intense investigation. Their big break came through cutting-edge surveillance technology, including Flock Safety license plate readers and real-time crime tracking, which led them straight to the suspects.
After months of relentless pursuit, authorities finally closed in on the criminals, making the arrests that ended their crime spree. The suspects now face serious charges, including Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and Organized Crime Theft of an ATM.
“This took all of North Texas law enforcement working together,” Raynsford said. “They were organized, and we had to be organized too.”
The arrests mark a major victory in the fight against organized crime, but the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities are working to determine if additional suspects were involved in this widespread crime wave. Residents and business owners can now breathe a sigh of relief as law enforcement remains vigilant in keeping North Texas safe.
