Police are currently seeking two men who used a stolen van to crash into a Portland business and steal its ATM. The van caught on fire while the suspects tried to cut into the ATM, and the fire then spread to a church.
The heist happened at 4:35 a.m. on Tuesday at the Fastrak Food Mart, located at 2431 N.E. Broadway St.
The store’s security camera captured the van’s back end smashing through the store’s front windows, which had protective bars. The two men dashed inside, cleared debris, and grabbed the ATM.
After fleeing the scene, the men stopped in the parking lot of Family of Grace Church at 12414 E. Burnside St. They apparently tried to get inside the ATM, but instead somehow started a fire in the van.
The suspects abandoned the burning vehicle and fled. The fire incinerated the van and spread to the church, but responding fire crews were able to extinguish it with only light charring damage to a small part of the church's exterior.
Investigators are currently seeking the whereabouts of the suspects.
Police said one of the men was wearing a distinctive jacket, which they believe could help identify the pair.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or (503)823-3408 and reference case number 22-317300.