Thieves Target ATMs At Gas Stations In Manchester, Vernon

MANCHESTER, CT — A trio of bandits broke into gas stations in Vernon and Manchester early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Automated teller machines appear to have been the targets.

The Manchester station on Middle Turnpike West was hit at about 1 a.m. and a security guard reported it at about 1:30 a.m., authorities said.

Lt. Nick Reinert of the Manchester Police Department said two windows were smashed and, once inside the store, bandits tried to steal an ATM by roping it to a vehicle, authorities said. The machine is bolted to the floor, so the attempt was unsuccessful he said.

No injuries were reported.

At 1:40 a.m., the front door at the Valero station at the corner of Regan and Talcottville roads in Vernon was forced open and there was an attempt to steal the ATM inside, Vernon Police Department spokesman Lt. Rob Marra said.

Like Manchester, the attempt was not successful and the store was closed at the time, Marra said. An alarm was activated at the Vernon store, Marra said.

In both instances, the three bandits left in a blue "hatchback-style" vehicle, he said.

Both incidents are related and were still being investigated Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The local incidents follows three ATM thefts reported Tuesday in the state Tuesday — two in Wallingford and one in Milford.