The lobby on the east entrance to the First Bank Blue Earth has an open spot where the ATM was located.

The ATM in the lobby at the First Bank Blue Earth was stolen on Friday, Sept. 7, and Blue Earth Police Chief Tom Fletcher says there are no leads in the case after more than a week since the crime happened.

According to the Blue Earth Police Department, a male suspect entered the ATM lobby at 4:12 a.m.

He proceeded to attempt to pry the ATM machine from its placement using a long pry bar and a sledge hammer, according to the police report.

When his attempts proved unsuccessful, he left the lobby, backed up a black Chevrolet pickup onto the sidewalk and re-entered the lobby with what was described as a logging/tow chain.

The suspect then hooked up the chain to the ATM and to the back of the truck and drove the truck forward, dislodging the ATM, then dragging it outside. He then loaded it into the truck and went south on Main Street.

The ATM contained an undetermined amount of cash inside.

The pickup truck, which had been stolen from Hawkins Chevrolet in Fairmont, was later recovered by the Faribault County Sheriff’s Office on 400th Avenue and County Road 4, approximately six miles west of Frost.

The suspect is described as having an athletic build and wearing a long, light colored shirt over a dark hooded sweatshirt, with dark pants, a hat and a face mask.

Chief Fletcher now says the suspect is also thought to be a white male, wears glasses and has tattoos on both arms around the wrist areas.

“There were surveillance cameras in the bank as well as in neighboring businesses,” Chief Fletcher says. “That is how we know what happened, as well as getting the description.” The chief says there is strong evidence that the suspect had an accomplice, as he was carrying a two-way radio.

The whole robbery took just five minutes, Fletcher says. He added it is hard to determine if the perpetrator was local, or someone from out of the area or even the state. But the chief says, it definitely looks like the person knew what they were doing and came prepared.

“We have this as an active investigation, and are conducting a wide search,” Fletcher says. “We feel there is a good possibility more information will turn up.”

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to please contact the Blue Earth Police Department at 507-526-5959.

As far as the now missing ATM machine, First Bank Blue Earth president Mike VerDoorn says the bank does plan to replace it, but they are different options as to what kind of an ATM it will be.