Thieves Crash into McKinley Park Shell Gas Station, Flee with ATM

CHICAGO (ABC7) — A group of five thieves targeted a McKinley Park gas station early Saturday morning, smashing their way inside and stealing an ATM before fleeing in a getaway vehicle, Chicago Police said.

The break-in happened on May 2, 2026, at approximately 5:17 a.m. at a Shell gas station situated in the 3500 block of South Damen Avenue. According to police reports, a crew of five offenders arrived at the gas station and broke through the front entrance, shattering the glass doors to gain immediate entry to the minimart.

Quick Heist Leaving Behind Damage

Once inside, the suspects focused on the store's ATM. The crew managed to detach the machine and haul it out of the store. A damaged vehicle was found abandoned at the scene by responding officers, though police have not confirmed whether it was used as the primary ramming vehicle or had been reported stolen prior to the burglary.

The suspects loaded the ATM into another vehicle and sped away before officers arrived. No store employees or bystanders were injured during the heist. The storefront sustained major structural damage, with glass shards and metal framing littering the entrance.

Pattern of Retail ATM Thefts

Chicago has experienced a persistent wave of crash-and-grab and smash-and-grab style burglaries targeting retail outlets and gas stations, particularly in the early morning hours. Detectives are reviewing surveillance videos from the Shell station and analyzing forensic evidence from the abandoned vehicle to locate the five suspects.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Chicago Police Department Area One detectives.