In a startling series of incidents across the UK and the United States, thieves have targeted cash machines using increasingly brazen and destructive tactics. From the early hours in Milton Keynes, England, to late-night thefts in Nebraska and a violent smash-and-grab in Ohio, law enforcement agencies are grappling with a surge of ATM-related crimes that have left communities shaken, businesses damaged, and investigators searching for answers.
Just before dawn on October 26, 2025, residents of Brooklands Square in Milton Keynes, England, awoke to the aftermath of a dramatic burglary at a Sainsbury’s Local store. According to BBC reporting, a telehandler—a type of construction vehicle typically used for lifting heavy materials—was used to ram through the storefront. The machine’s operator targeted the shop’s cash machine, causing significant structural damage as the vehicle smashed its way inside. Video footage circulating on social media captured the moment the telehandler hoisted the ATM and loaded it onto another waiting vehicle, which then sped away from the scene.
Thames Valley Police responded swiftly, establishing a scene watch and increasing their presence in the area. "We are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with any information including CCTV or video of the incident," a police spokesperson said, emphasizing the urgent need for public assistance as the investigation got underway. The force’s visible presence in Brooklands Square was a clear signal of their commitment to catching those responsible, but the brazen nature of the crime left many locals unsettled.
Just two days earlier and thousands of miles away, a different but equally audacious ATM theft unfolded in Waverly, Nebraska. As reported by KOLN, the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Horizon Bank on 140th Street and Cornhusker Highway after a theft occurred between 7:45 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. on October 24, 2025. This time, the suspects opted for a subtler approach. Two people, driving a dark gray or gold sedan with no front license plates, pulled up to the ATM and began withdrawing money. Sheriff Terry Wagner told reporters that the thieves quickly opened and closed the ATM before driving off, leaving no signs of forced entry.
Horizon Bank has since launched an official audit to determine the total amount lost in the theft. Meanwhile, investigators have collected fingerprints and reviewed security footage in an effort to identify the culprits. The Sheriff’s Office is also probing a possible link between this incident and another ATM theft at a Horizon Bank in McCook, Nebraska, which occurred the following day. The back-to-back crimes have raised concerns about an organized group targeting financial institutions in the region, with law enforcement agencies working overtime to connect the dots.
Back in the United States, yet another ATM theft attempt took place on October 27, 2025, at a 7-Eleven convenience store in Toledo, Ohio. According to ABC 13, the thieves employed a more violent method: using a stolen truck, a suspect broke out the store’s window and attached a chain to the ATM, hoping to yank the machine free. The attempt left the building heavily damaged, with shattered glass and twisted metal marking the spot where the thieves made their move. Despite their efforts, the criminals were unable to remove the entire ATM. Instead, they ripped out the front of the machine and made off with the cash inside. The exact amount stolen remains unknown as the investigation continues.
These incidents, while separated by geography and specific tactics, share a common thread: the boldness and ingenuity of the perpetrators. In Milton Keynes, the use of heavy machinery to physically extract an ATM from a storefront is a stark escalation from more traditional smash-and-grab robberies. The resulting destruction not only impacts the targeted business but also the broader community, as residents and shop owners contend with the fallout of shattered glass, ruined facades, and disrupted service.
Meanwhile, the Nebraska thefts highlight a different kind of criminal sophistication. The absence of forced entry at the Waverly Horizon Bank suggests knowledge of the ATM’s security features or even potential inside information. The suspects’ ability to swiftly access and close the machine without triggering alarms has raised eyebrows among investigators. Sheriff Wagner’s comments to KOLN underscore the seriousness of the situation, as law enforcement works to determine whether a coordinated group is responsible for multiple incidents in the state.
The attempted theft in Toledo brings yet another layer of complexity. The use of a stolen truck and physical force to breach the convenience store’s defenses reflects a willingness to risk significant property damage in pursuit of quick cash. Although the thieves failed to remove the entire ATM, their partial success—ripping out the front and extracting the cash—demonstrates both determination and a disregard for the consequences faced by local businesses.
In each case, authorities have responded with heightened vigilance. Thames Valley Police’s appeal for witnesses and surveillance footage in Milton Keynes mirrors similar efforts in Nebraska and Ohio, where law enforcement agencies are combing through fingerprints, security videos, and eyewitness accounts in hopes of identifying suspects. The public’s role in providing tips and evidence has never been more crucial, as investigators race against time to prevent further incidents.
These recent ATM thefts are not isolated events. They form part of a broader trend that has seen criminals across the world adopt ever-more creative and destructive methods to access cash. From using construction vehicles to physically rip machines from walls, to exploiting electronic vulnerabilities or leveraging stolen vehicles for brute force, the stakes for both businesses and law enforcement continue to rise.
Financial institutions, meanwhile, are left to reckon with the aftermath. In Nebraska, Horizon Bank’s audit will determine the true cost of the thefts, while in Milton Keynes and Toledo, business owners face costly repairs and lost revenue. The psychological impact on employees and customers—who may feel less secure in the wake of such crimes—adds another layer of consequence that is harder to quantify.
Law enforcement agencies are urging businesses to review their security protocols, invest in reinforced barriers, and ensure that surveillance systems are up to date. For the public, the message is clear: remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support efforts to keep communities safe from increasingly audacious criminal schemes.
As investigations continue on both sides of the Atlantic, one thing is certain: the battle between thieves and those tasked with stopping them is far from over. Each new theft brings lessons for security professionals, law enforcement, and business owners alike—reminders that in the ever-evolving world of crime, vigilance and adaptation are key to staying one step ahead.
