The thieves are getting more brazen, this time smashing the wall of a convenience store in Brookhaven to steal an ATM. The crime occurred early Tuesday morning. The truck used to break through the wall was found burning behind a church.

Police responded to the C Store Exxon gas station on Hwy. 51 North at 5 a.m., and 45 minutes later received a call about the burning vehicle.

Though an arrest hasn’t been made, police appear to have some traction on the case.

It’s similar to an ATM smash-and-grab that occurred in August at the General Store on Hwy. 550, but the vehicle used in that crime wasn’t burned afterward.

The Lincoln and Copiah counties’ sheriffs’ departments are helping with the investigation of Tuesday’s incident, which means it is likely connected to crimes in their jurisdictions.

These kinds of crimes are almost impossible to prevent. If someone is willing to ram a truck through a wall to get to an ATM, there’s not much the store owner can do to stop it. But catching these criminals would certainly help reduce the number of these crimes in the future.

Anyone with information about the burglary can call CrimeStoppers at 601-823-0150. Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.

Like most crimes, these ATM thefts can be solved if someone is willing to talk. If you saw something or know something, please call police.