ATM Thieves Demolish Gueydan, Louisiana, Police Chief's Store

Gueydan, LA (KPEL News) - ATM thieves have been wreaking havoc on parishes across south Louisiana. They have seriously damaged businesses in St. Landry, Acadia, Iberia, St. Martin, and they added Vermilion Parish to the list this week. As you'll see below, the problem is not confined to Louisiana.

Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon issued a call for information about the latest ATM theft that happened in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 1 in Gueydan. The store they targeted is owned by Gueydan Police Chief Cru Delcambre.

Up until now, no ATM thefts had occurred in Vermilion Parish. The thieves follow the same pattern. Two people steal a heavy duty pick-up truck and then use a chain hooked to it to yank an ATM machine from the business, destroying the facade and often interior of the store in the process. The trucks aren't always stolen from the parish where the ATM theft takes place. For instance, the suspects stole a truck in Lafayette Parish to commit the other crime at a bank in Iberia Parish.

Law enforcement agencies across parish lines are working together to find the people responsible, and they believe there may be a ring of thieves working together. Only one person has been arrested in connection with an ATM theft in Cecilia. St. Martin Parish Sheriff Beckett Breaux says the other culprit has been identified, but there has been no report of another arrest.

Chief Delcambre's store, Loignon's Grocery in Gueydan, was demolished when the suspects crashed into the store and stole the ATM machine. You can see in the photos below the severity of damage to the store.

Courtesy Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office

After responding to the scene, deputies received word that someone saw a damaged Dodge pick-up truck in a field off Elliot Road. When they found the vehicle, the ATM and building materials from the store were in the bed. They also discovered that the truck was, indeed, stolen.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 337-898-4403.