The Wayne Curry Sports and Learning Center in Landover has become the latest target of ATM thieves.
On Thursday night, thieves broke in and stole the center’s ATM machine.
The centre was closed on Friday morning when the investigation began, and patrons of the popular centre only found out about the theft by opening time.
“I’m not surprised,” one regular said. “There’s no security on-site, no one walking around all the time.”
The facility has become a hub for the local community, with the playground and track popular with seniors and those looking to exercise.
Frequent visitors to the centre said they were wondering why this had happened as the ATMs in the building don’t always have cash in them.
“I think it’s an act of sheer desperation that someone would do something like this,” said another patron, “These people really need help because you’re obviously not going to get rich stealing an ATM machine from Wayne Curry’s gym.”
The incident happened under security camera footage, which could aid investigators.
Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz appeared at a press conference on ATM thefts early Thursday morning with Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, who is a co-sponsor of a bill that would treat ATM thefts the same as bank robberies.
“These brazen robberies not only put ordinary citizens at risk but also disrupt financial institutions,” Aziz said.
The Safe Access to Cash Act would allow the FBI to investigate ATM thefts, which are often coordinated and carried out across multiple states.
Aziz said ATM theft is not a minor or victimless crime.
“ATM thefts have become increasingly violent, with armed and organised criminals threatening staff and using sophisticated techniques to steal cash,” he said.
If the bill passes, ATM theft could be punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison.
The National Capital Park Police in Maryland are investigating this latest robbery.
