A thirst for change

Some unknown crooks are trying to quench their thirst for money and more, as evidenced by a recent rash of attacks on vending machines.

Between 9 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 6, someone broke into the Coke machine located at a gas station in the 5600 block of Hopkins Road, stealing the money from inside. It also appeared that the suspect tried unsuccessfully to break into a Powerade machine in the same area.

At about 5 a.m. on Feb. 6, someone used a crowbar to try to break into the change machines and a drink machine at Ye Olde Car Wash in the 13900 block of Hull Street Road.

Sometime between 5 p.m. on Feb. 8 and 1 p.m. on Feb. 9, someone used an unknown device to try to pry open the change machine at a second location of Ye Olde Car Wash in the 10200 block of Hull Street Road.

Apparently, money isn't quite enough for some criminals. Between 7:40 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. on Feb. 5, someone stole the whole Coke machine from outside All In One Vending located in the 4200 block of Old Hundred Road. Though the machine was found sitting in the middle of a nearby street, money had been taken from it.

Then, between 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 7:15 a.m. on Feb. 6, someone stole a Pepsi machine from outside All In One Vending in the 12200 block of Jefferson Davis Highway. Investigators followed the drag marks left by the machine and found it in some nearby woods. Money and drinks had been stolen.

Anyone with information about these crimes should call police at 748-1251 or Crime solvers at 748-0660, or text the code tip699 with the tip and send to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters may also visit www.crimesolvers.net to report information anonymously online.

In other crimes:

Bailey Bridge Road. Between 2:10 p.m. on Jan. 31 and 11 a.m. on Feb. 7, someone tried unsuccessfully to break into the concession stand at Crenshaw Elementary School in the 11900 block. The roll-up door was found partially open, but not enough to allow entry.

Hopkins Road. Between 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 and 8:15 a.m. on Feb. 5, someone used a plastic trash can to smash the front window of Casa Del Valle in the 5700 block at Meadowdale Plaza and stole clothing.

 

Jefferson Davis Highway. Between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 8, someone pickpocketed a man's wallet from his pants while he was shopping at the Kmart store in the 5700 block.

Lippingham Drive. At about 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 4, a victim who lived at a residence in the 4900 block went into the home's garage to get a drink and noticed that the exterior door was partially open. When he went to close the door, the suspect pushed his way inside and assaulted the victim. The suspect then fled on foot.

 

Whitepine Road. Between midnight on Jan. 22 and midnight on Jan. 30, someone pried open the coin box of a pay phone in the 6600 block.

Willis Road. At about 1 a.m. on Feb. 7, a suspect with a bandanna covering his face drove up to the drive-through window at McDonald's in the 2300 block, pointed a black handgun at the clerk and told her not to move. The clerk backed away, and the suspect drove off.