‘It’s bizarre’: Community reeling after suspects ram into Silver Spring gas station in failed attempt to steal ATM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) — The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) said it is investigating an attempted burglary after someone drove a vehicle into a Sunoco gas station and tried to take an ATM Tuesday morning.

Police said that just after 2 a.m., officers were called to the 12000 block of Cherry Hill Road in Silver Spring for a burglary.

The owner of the gas station told DC News Now that he’s still grappling with what happened. He’s owned the store for nearly two decades and said he never would have imagined such chaos to erupt at his shop.

He, along with several residents, said the area is relatively safe and that the news is “shocking.”

“It’s […] bizarre. I’d say probably unheard of in this area,” said one resident, who often visits the Sunoco Gas station right off Cherry Hill Road due to it being in a “calm neighborhood.”

According to the store owner, three people were in a U-Haul truck trying to steal his shop’s ATM but gave up after 10 attempts.

His overnight employee then ran to the back of the store and called authorities.

“The guy that was working overnight ran for his life. I hope there isn’t a repetition of this,” said a regular customer, who lives across the street from the gas station.

The customer said many of the employees are still trying to grapple with the chaos.

Residents in the area are calling for more police presence in the heavily transited area after learning of the incident.

“If they patrolled more often and actually did something, you know, that’d be great,” one resident shared.

Another local said, “I hope everybody feels safe now that this has occurred, and that more attention is being paid to this particular situation right here.”

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call MCPD at 301-279-8000.

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