Three ATM Explosions In Florida In 3 Months, Police Investigating

Hillsborough County deputies are investigating a series of ATM explosions in Florida, which they think are connected, authorities said Monday.

In the latest explosion, the suspects looted a drive-through Regions Bank ATM in Tampa suburb of Valrico on late Saturday or early Sunday. They spray-painted the surveillance camera lenses before the explosion. The amount of cash stolen was not yet determined.

The suspects earlier had two failed attempts at looting cash from drive-through ATM machines. They could not gain access to the machines’ internal safes at the time, NBC News reported, citing the Sheriff’s office. The first explosion happened on Nov. 4 at a BB&T bank in Oldsmar, while the second happened on Dec. 22 at a Pilot bank branch in Tampa. The sheriff's office described both the incidents as "criminal mischief" because no money was stolen.

Police are yet to reveal details concerning the type of explosives used and whether similar substances were used in all three cases.

No one was hurt in the incident, a Sheriff's spokeswoman told WFLA.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the residents have the right to feel safe. "We want those responsible to know this is not a victimless crime, their actions come with serious consequences and we won't stop investigating until they are brought into custody," he told CNN.

The Hillsborough and Pinellas sheriffs’ offices are collaborating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives and the FBI as part of the investigation.