The San Benito County Sheriff’s Department is searching for
suspects who made a rather large withdrawal from San Juan Oaks Golf
and Country Club – the entire Automated Teller Machine.
The San Benito County Sheriff’s Department is searching for suspects who made a rather large withdrawal from San Juan Oaks Golf and Country Club – the entire Automated Teller Machine.
Sheriff’s investigators said they believe the burglary at the golf course’s pro shop was carried out by more than one person.
Because of the size and weight of the ATM, which was not bolted to floor or walls, investigators said it was “highly unlikely” that one person committed the theft.
The early-morning incident, which investigators said happened before 4 a.m. on Sunday, apparently occurred when the suspects broke open one of the outside doors leading into the pro-shop. The suspects apparently tied something around the freestanding ATM and dragged it out of the shop, possibly behind a truck.
Investigators said the drag marks from the heavy metal ATM left deep damaging grooves in the floor and just outside the doors where the suspects loaded the ATM onto a vehicle and fled the scene.
The damaged and empty ATM was recovered in Gilroy where the suspects had discarded it after removing an undisclosed amount of money.
“We know how much was taken, but we are not releasing the amount at this time,” Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Wes Walker said.
Law enforcement agencies often withhold the amount of money stolen in robberies so as not to encourage others to attempt such illegal acts.
No arrests have been made, and the sheriff’s department is asking anyone with information to call Wes Walker at 636-4080.
