Thieves Steal Courier Van With $1.8M Inside In Decatur

DECATUR, GA -- Federal authorities have joined an investigation of the theft of nearly $2 million from a cargo van left unattended outside a bank ATM in DeKalb County. The incident happened Sept. 8 when two couriers left a van containing $1.8 million parked outside a Citizens Trust Bank on South Hairston Road in Decatur.

While the employees were tending to the bank ATM, the van was subsequently stolen, authorities said. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

The workers, employed by ATM Response Inc. arrived about 6:45 a.m. to make a cash drop into the ATM, the FBI's Atlanta Office said.

"The driver and passenger exited the vehicle with an unspecified amount of cash to load the ATM, leaving a large amount of cash in the cargo of the vehicle. The driver locked the vehicle doors, but left the keys in the ignition and the vehicle running," the FBI said.

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Leaving a van unattended is unusual in the courier business, according to companies interviewed by WGCL, yet ATM Response said that that is their policy. Furthermore, the news station said that the bank has been shut down for some time now and only the ATM is in operation.

The bank spokesperson was not sure how the cash supply company was able to get into the building to fill the ATM, the TV station reported.

The FBI said the driver and passenger were inside the bank for about 10 to 15 minutes. When they returned, they discovered the vehicle was stolen and that broken glass was on the ground.

Security camera footage shows a person "in dark pants, a baggy gray long-sleeve shirt, with a black backpack" approaching the van, according to the FBI.

Anyone with information regarding this matter, especially those who live in the Hairston Forest South neighbohood, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at tel. (404) 577-8477.