Investigators are asking for your help after the second theft in Annawan, Illinois in less than two months.
The latest happened at the Annawan Banking Center on Canal Street early Monday morning. Someone broke into the trailer housing the People's National Bank, taking out a small safe. That happened almost right across the street from a Shell Station, where on June 25th, someone broke in and stole the ATM. It was found the same night. And police found the safe right away as well, between the bank and the ethanol plant. But, they are still looking for whomever took it. And area residents are also looking for answers.
Pat Longsdon tells us, "I just think it's outrageous. That's what I think." Just before two Monday morning, police say the alarm went off at the People's National Bank. Someone cut a hole in the siding, pushed in the drywall and made off with a small safe on wheels. "I think times are kind of hard, you know," Delmiro Eggleston tells TV6. "I think at times, people just look for anything they can do to make money." No word about how much cash thieves got away with. Police found the empty safe nearby, on a street near the ethanol plant.
Longsdon says, "It's getting worse in these small towns. Maybe it's just because they are small towns, they think they can get away with it more." So far they have. Back in June, police say thieves used an all-terrain vehicle to crash through the front door of a Shell gas station and drag off the ATM inside. "Maybe it might be the same person doing it over and over," Eggleston says. "It's hard to say these days. I know it's a crazy world."
Officers say they believe the Annawan cases are connected. They are still investigating if they are related to other ATM thefts across the QCA this summer. "It's definitely like, it's got to be a ring, the same people doing it or something," Eggleston says. "I mean, you know, guys conjure up any type of thing, any type of way they can make money. So, I mean, I'm not surprised at all."
But most we talked to are. Pat Longsdon says she is hoping for an arrest soon. "I know law enforcement, they do the best they can. I hope they catch whoever does it, is doing it right now. I hope they catch 'em 'cuz they deserve to be caught."
Police ask anyone with any information about these crimes to call them or Henry County Crime Stoppers. All tips are anonymous. And if your tip leads to a felony arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
