WATCH: ATMs stolen from 2 Germantown gas stations minutes apart

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Police are investigating after ATMs were stolen from two gas stations just minutes apart in Montgomery County early Monday morning.

The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) said that on Sept. 23, just before 5 a.m., officers were notified of a burglary at the Shell gas station in the 21000 block of Frederick Road, in the Germantown area.

About 20 minutes later, police officers responded to a second burglary at the Exxon gas station just minutes away, in the 21100 block of Frederick Road.

Police said during the burglaries, the thieves took ATMs from both gas stations.

“I think it’s very unfortunate why people are doing that,” Shell customer Jorge Escobar said. “People work hard for their money, and then for somebody to come steal an ATM machine from a gas station.”

On Tuesday, police released surveillance camera video from the Shell gas station showing a 16-passenger van ramming into the store. Two people dressed in black could be seen loading the ATM into the back of the van before the van drove off.

MCPD said detectives are working to determine if these incidents are connected to the recent ATM thefts across the county.

A frequent customer at the Shell gas station who asked not to be identified said, “It’s kind of messed up. When you see people doing stuff like that, you kind of think like, ‘What was your motive to do something like that?’”

“It’s a real quiet area right here,” Khalil, who works nearby, said. “So, for this to happen is crazy. You never know what to expect, it’s 2024 so anything is possible, but at the end of the day, you just have to be safe out here.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to enter a tip on the Crime Solver’s website . Tips with information that leads to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a reward from $250 up to $10,000.

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