Thieves make off with O.C. hotel ATM, $15K

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. Investigators believe that the two suspects in this case had been targeting a specific ATM inside the /*Crowne Plaza Hotel*/. The two men made off with approximately $15,000 in cash in less than five minutes.

The crime occurred around 5:10 a.m. Monday when the two men walked through the main entrance to the hotel on Harbor Boulevard. They loaded an ATM onto a dolly and wheeled it out the same door through which they entered.

The men were wearing what's described as work attire, and they got away easily because it was so early in the morning.

"There's not a lot of traffic in the hotel at the time. There was one of the clerks I believe at the desk that saw the subjects pick up the ATM, but the way she described it was that they were just two employees. She figured they were from the ATM company," said /*Garden Grove Police Department*/ Lt. Robert Fowler.

Authorities say that the machine itself is worth about $5,000, and there was approximately $15,000 inside the machine at the time of the crime. The machines are not always bolted or securely chained to the floors, and police say the suspects took advantage of the situation.

"I think it was a crime of opportunity and the subjects just decided to take it," said Fowler.

The first suspect is described as a white male in his 40s, about 5 feet 3 inches tall with brown hair. He was described to be wearing a dark jacket with yellow lettering.

The second suspect is described as white male in his 30s with brown hair and wearing a Pendleton-style jacket. Police do not have a vehicle description.

If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact the Garden Grove Police Department at (714) 741-5704.

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