FENTON, MI — A ChoiceOne Bank branch in Fenton was hit twice in less than three months, first in a theft that left police saying a substantial amount of cash was taken and then in a second attempt that ended with the suspects leaving empty-handed.
Fenton police said the two incidents appear connected. Investigators believe the same stolen pickup truck was used both times, and officers have asked the FBI for help because of the amount stolen and the apparent scope of the crimes.
July break-in left ATM doors ripped off and cash missing
The first incident happened about 2:30 a.m. July 9, when officers heard the bank’s alarm and went to the scene. Lieutenant Daniel Forbush said they found the ATM doors torn off, including the vault door inside the machine.
Police also found a stolen dark pickup truck at the bank. It was empty but had heavy-duty chains attached to the back. Forbush said officers did not find anyone nearby, and a substantial amount of money was gone from the ATM by the time they arrived.
Surveillance video showed two people in dark clothing, hoodies, masks and gloves, making identification impossible, Forbush said.
September attempt appears organized, police say
The bank was targeted again around 1:44 a.m. Sept. 12. This time, Forbush said the suspects appeared to be organized and experienced, with signs they knew exactly what they were doing.
He said the ATM doors had been removed again, but the would-be thieves likely fled after a passerby came through the area before they could finish the theft. Police recovered the same stolen pickup truck after the second incident, just as they had after the first.
Crowbars were also found at the scene, but investigators were not able to recover usable fingerprints.
US-23 access and repeat crimes raise concerns for investigators
Forbush said the branch’s location near US-23 may make it an easy target for thieves looking for a fast escape route. The bank sits on Silver Parkway, and police said the pattern of the two break-ins suggests planning rather than a random strike.
The repeated damage has already changed the site. The bank has since installed a blue blockade in front of the ATM doors to add protection against another attack.
Police said they are also looking at a similar ATM theft in Grand Blanc Township that could be connected to the Fenton cases.
FBI asked to assist as police look for tips
Because of the money taken and the scale of the crimes, Fenton police requested help from the FBI. Jordan Hall, a public affairs officer for the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, said the agency routinely works with local, state and federal departments and may assist when asked.
Hall also said the FBI does not confirm or deny whether it is involved in a specific investigation or discuss the scope of any possible work. Fenton police are asking anyone with information to come forward, including people who may have noticed something that seemed minor at the time.
Forbush said small details could prove important. Anyone with tips is asked to call the City of Fenton Police Department at 810-629-5311.
What investigators have pieced together so far
So far, police say the same stolen dark pickup truck appears in both incidents, and both theft attempts involved suspects wearing dark clothing and face coverings. The first break-in was successful and the second was interrupted before any money could be taken.
Investigators have not identified the suspects, and the attempt to lift fingerprints did not produce results. Forbush said there is a chance the group came from out of state, though that has not been confirmed.
Police continue to compare the Fenton break-ins with the possible Grand Blanc Township case as they work to determine whether one crew is responsible for the string of ATM thefts.
How the Fenton case fits a broader pattern of ATM thefts
The Fenton thefts underscore how quickly ATM break-ins can become major investigations when money is stolen, property is destroyed and getaway vehicles are left behind. In this case, the damage included ripped-off doors, chains, crowbars and repeated use of what police say was a stolen truck.
Forbush said the clues may still be sitting with residents or drivers who passed through the area at the right time. Even a small observation, he said, could help investigators connect the crimes and identify the people responsible.
For now, police are focusing on the timeline, the vehicle and any links between the two Fenton attempts and the unrelated-looking theft in Grand Blanc Township.
