Thieves break into Red Deer hotel, steal ATM

RCMP are investigating anATM theft from a motel in Red Deerlate Friday night.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, two people in masks drove up to the Howard Johnson Motel on Gasoline Alley in Red Deer. The two suspects stole the bottom section of the ATM out of the main lobby and left driving north.

RCMP do not have a plate number, but the truck is described by police as a "sandy-coloured Ford quad cab with a sanding hopper attached."

This is the latest ATM heist in a year that saw at least 130 machines stolen in the first six months, according to a release from theAlberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT). ATMs have been stolen in more than 60 communities across Alberta.

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Police are asking anyone with any information about the locations of thesuspects, the vehicle or the ATM to contact them.