ATM smash-and-grabs on the rise

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ATM smash-and-grabs are happening more and more across the country, and right here in Chicago.

Surveillance video from early Tuesday morning shows an alleged burglar smashing through the front door of the popular Salerno's restaurant in West Town. Once inside, he's seen scouring through the business and finally grabbing a hand dolly and using it to steal the ATM that was bolted to the floor before wheeling it out.

Others use vehicles to smash their way inside, hitting stores across the country, targeting the ATMs. In Dallas, it's happened more than 20 times in the last month. They hit a nail salon last week.

"This car came back and forth at least 7 times at very high rate of speed," said Michael Molayem, business owner.

Dallas business owners have had enough, and so have police. They're forming a special task force to deal with the recent rash of smash-and-grabs.

"A lot of these stores are small convenient stores, they are individual owners just trying to run a business," said Lt. Reuben Ramirez, Dallas Police.

Police suspect the bandits might be part of an organized ring because the smash-and-grabs have almost all happened between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., target smaller ATMs that only weigh a couple hundred pounds, and the thieves are gone within 90 seconds.

In the Chicago break-in this week, the thief took his time. He was inside for 20 minutes, seemingly aware that he was on camera.

Bandits across the country have a similar M.O. In the last, week, they've hit from Portland to Des Moines to Detroit, where two suspects wrapped a chain around the ATM and make off with $4,000. In Tampa, seconds after a SUV smashes through the window, the thieves have their machine full of cash.