Would–be thieves tried to steal this ATM from EZ Fuel on Thursday morning. A truck reportedly backed into the front entrance of the store, but the culprits left empty handed. Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Police are looking for would-be thieves who broke into EZ Fuel on Thursday morning and attempted to steal an automatic teller machine.
Store manager Craig Pearson told the Chronicle that he was notified at 4:20 am this morning that someone had busted through the front doors.
The culprit reportedly backed a vehicle into the front doors in an attempt to steal the ATM.
Pearson said there were tire marks and mud outside the front entrance.
“They tried to use a web strap (on the machine), but it broke,” the manager said, adding the thieves soon left after realizing their efforts were in vain.
Oliver RCMP arrived and taped off the area. The strap could be seen tied around the ATM, along with a heavy logging chain.
Nothing appeared to be stolen from the store Pearson said.
The manager admitted he was “pissed off” about the incident, but that didn’t stop them from carrying on with business. People were still buying fuel and other products.
Pearson said the break-in was another step back for the company that suffered a suspected arson attack in 2012. A lot of work went into rebuilding the store.
The Oliver RCMP was not prepared to comment on the break-in Thursday morning.
“It’s still early in the investigation; should have something out later today or early tomorrow,” said Sgt. Ken Harrington.
Pearson said he was told by police that the truck used in the break-in was likely stolen.
Police are checking to see if there is a link between this incident and a call that firefighters received Thursday morning about a vehicle fire.
Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham said they responded to a flat-deck truck that was on fire just off Secrest Hill Road at about 4:20 am.
The truck was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, Graham said.
The fire spread to the surrounding grass (100×100 feet), but members managed to contain it quickly.
Graham said it would have been a different story if it was windy or during mid-day.
