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Philadelphia Police Warn of ATM Cash‑Trap Devices Found at Nine Sites

The devices exploit weekend branch closures to hide thefts until Monday.

Overview

  • Philadelphia police released surveillance video Wednesday that shows a suspect installing a cash‑trap on a roll‑down ATM.
  • Since March 15, investigators have documented nine devices citywide, including five bank branches and ATMs inside dollar and corner stores.
  • The trap is a plate that blocks the roll‑down cash door so bills slide into a hidden catch, causing customers to think the machine failed to pay out.
  • Detectives say two people may be involved and were seen leaving in a dark SUV with possible New Jersey plates, and they are reviewing more video and testing seized devices for prints.
  • Police advise customers not to force a jammed roll‑down door and to check statements for withdrawals, noting these cash traps differ from card skimmers that steal account data.