Bandits Attempt To Steal ATMs In Vernon, Manchester

VERNON, CT — Police are investigating a pair of break-ins at gas stations in Vernon and Manchester that took place early Wednesday morning.

Automated teller machines appear to have been the targets.

The Mobil station on Middle Turnpike West was hit at about 1:24 a.m. and a security guard reported it at about 1:30 a.m., authorities said.

A window appeared to have been smashed and, once inside the store, bandits tried to steal an ATM, authorities 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.