The FBI and Secret Service are assisting two Arkansas police departments in the investigation of two ATM robberies reported last week. Jonesboro and Paragould Police are teaming up with the federal agencies. This comes after $35,000 was stolen from an ATM in Jonesboro and $101,000 was taken from a Perigold ATM.
According to the Jonesboro Police Department, one robbery happened at the First National Bank on East Highland Drive at around midnight on Thursday, May 2. Lt. Lyle Waterworth said no suspects are in custody as of Tuesday, May 7. The incident report states that $35,360 was stolen from the ATM by using a hard drive. Waterworth called the crime a “national phenomenon,” adding, “They are putting a virus on the hard drive of the ATM which corrupts the original hard drive and allows them to get the cash out,” Waterworth said.
The Paragould Police Department are also investigating According to the incident report, the theft occurred between 10 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, and 6 a.m. Thursday, May 2 at the First National Bank on West Kingshighway in Paragould. Elms said $101,280 was stolen. He said the ATM was not damaged, and the money was not taken out of an account.
Authorities are working to see if the thefts are connected to any others in the state.
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