Stolen truck used to rip ATM from pedestal in Interlochen

Grand Traverse County deputies responded to an ATM alarm in Interlochen after the machine was reportedly dragged from its pedestal around 2:10 a.m. on Jan. 14, disrupting a quiet stretch of the night and raising concerns about brazen property crime in the county.

Sheriff's investigators reported chains appeared to have been attached to a truck to pull the ATM loose. Deputies located the vehicle nearby and determined it had been reported stolen from a Mayfield Township residence. Authorities have not released information about arrests, suspect descriptions, or the amount taken from the machine as the investigation continues.

For Interlochen residents and business owners, the incident underscores vulnerabilities in small-town commercial corridors where ATMs, storefronts, and parked vehicles can be targeted during overnight hours. The physical damage to the ATM and its pedestal can create service interruptions for customers and impose repair costs on the host businesses and financial institutions, while a stolen vehicle used in the theft adds a layer of property loss for the Mayfield Township owner.

Investigators asked anyone with information to contact the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau or email tips to info@gtsheriff.org. If you live or work near the intersection where the ATM was located, check surveillance footage, doorbell camera recordings, or dashcam video taken around 2 a.m. on Jan. 14 and provide anything relevant to detectives. Timely community tips can help fill gaps in the early-morning timeline and identify other potential witnesses.

The county has seen sporadic vehicle-related thefts in past seasons, and this case highlights how thieves may use stolen trucks or chains to attempt heavy-lifting crimes that previously required specialized tools. Local businesses should review overnight security practices, including lighting, camera placement, and alarm monitoring, to reduce the likelihood of repeat incidents.

Sheriff’s deputies will continue their canvass of the area and follow leads from forensic examination of the scene and the recovered truck. For residents, the immediate takeaway is to remain vigilant and to pass along any information to law enforcement promptly. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether this was an isolated act or part of a wider pattern affecting Grand Traverse County, and the sheriff's office has signaled it will update the public as new information becomes available.