A man was arrested in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, after allegedly attempting to steal an ATM using a stolen excavator in close proximity to the local police station. The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. on April 26, 2025.
According to the DeFuniak Springs Police Department, the suspect obtained the excavator from a nearby construction site and drove it to a Trustmark Bank location adjacent to the department’s headquarters. He reportedly used the equipment’s arm to try to dislodge the ATM from its concrete base.
“An officer observed a person operating an excavator in an attempt to take the ATM, located right by the police department. When the officer attempted to contact the subject, he fled the scene,” the town’s Office of the City Marshal said in an April 22 Facebook post.
Officers quickly responded and apprehended the individual before he could escape. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and charged with grand theft and criminal mischief.
No injuries were reported. However, the ATM sustained significant damage during the attempt, and authorities noted the risk posed by the use of heavy machinery in a populated area.
Police Chief James Hurley described the event as one of the “most audacious criminal acts” committed so close to a law enforcement facility. When questioned, the suspect allegedly told officers,
“I’d rather rob a bank than work for my brother,” a statement that did not help to mitigate the seriousness of the charges.
Officials also stated that similar incidents involving construction equipment have been documented across the United States in recent years.
The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the suspect has any connection to previous related offenses.
(Source: Police1 and local authorities)