Newark police investigate pair of smash-and-grab ATM robberies

NEWARK (WABC) -- Newark police are investigating a pair of incidents in which two ATMs were stolen during a smash and grab.

At approximately 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to Elizabeth Avenue on a burglary alarm.

Upon arriving at the scene, they observed heavy damage to a store front, and the owner was notified that the ATM machine had been stolen.

Officers received information that a vehicle, possibly a pick-up truck, had driven through the glass.

The second incident was reported about four hours later, at 8:45 a.m.

Police received a burglary call from an employee on Hartford Street, who stated that he arrived at the location and found heavy damage to the storefront. It is believed that unknown suspects drove a truck through the restaurant and made off with their ATM.

The amount of currency in both machines is undetermined at this time. Both establishments were closed at the time of the incidents.

Police are in the early stages of their investigation and are working to identify the suspects in both incidents.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the CrimeStoppers hotline at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or 877-NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).