Newton Citizen

Photo by Howard Reed

COVINGTON -- The Covington Police Department made an arrest in connection with the theft of an ATM machine from Essex Bank on Ga. Highway 142 early Wednesday morning.

Nathan E. Thomas, 44, of 1411 Desoto Ave., Atlanta, has been arrested and charged with two counts of theft by taking and one count of criminal damage to property in the second degree.

According to CPD Capt. Ken Malcom, Thomas is currently hospitalized due to injuries he received while allegedly stealing the ATM.

"There was evidence that an accident had taken place at the scene," Malcom said. "We knew a person had sustained injuries and when we located Mr. Thomas it was evident he had been injured. Based on that and other clues at the scene, we had enough probable cause to charge him."

Malcom said Thomas was out walking in the area where the theft took place when he was located.

Also, found in the area was a Dodge Ram pickup with the ATM in the bed of the truck and a forklift, believed to have been used in the theft. The pickup was stolen out of Gwinnett County and the forklift had been stolen from a nearby construction site, Malcom said.

He said CPD detectives are continuing their investigation into the incident as there was evidence that more than one person was involved in the theft.

Detectives are asking for the public's assistance in locating the other suspects. Information can be left anonymously on this and any other case on the Covington Police web site at www.covingtonpolice.com by clicking the anonymous tip icon on the left or by calling the CPD tip line at 770-385-6430.

Malcom noted that this is not the first such theft in the area.

"We have had a similar successful theft of an ATM and this type of incident has occurred all over the Southeast," he said, adding that it was unknown if the incidents are linked, but that possibility is being actively investigated.