Masked Crooks Trash 7-Eleven ATM Heist Fail

Exterior view of a 7-Eleven convenience store with an ATM

Brazen criminals desecrated Christmas Eve by smashing into a Texas 7-Eleven and ripping an ATM from its wall with a stolen SUV, exposing the chaos of unchecked crime waves in our communities.

Story Snapshot

Two masked suspects used a stolen Dallas SUV to destroy a White Settlement 7-Eleven at 3:45 a.m. on December 24, 2025, causing massive interior damage but failing to steal cash.
ATM detached during getaway, recovered in a culvert; SUV abandoned nearby in Fort Worth, now under forensic analysis.
Police link this to two similar ATM attempts in White Settlement over prior two weeks, signaling a dangerous local pattern.
No arrests as of December 26; public tips sought amid surging “rip job” thefts plaguing Texas convenience stores.

The Destructive Heist Unfolds

At approximately 3:45 a.m. on December 24, 2025, a stolen SUV from Dallas pulled up to the 7-Eleven in the 2600 block of South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, Texas. One suspect, dressed in a black hoodie, pants, face mask, and orange gloves, smashed the front window with a sledgehammer. He attached a metal cable to the ATM machine. The driver then accelerated, ripping the ATM through the store, toppling shelves, and damaging a parked vehicle outside. High-quality surveillance video captured the chaotic destruction.

During the escape along the I-30 service road between South Cherry Lane and South Las Vegas Trail, the ATM dislodged from the cable and landed in a culvert. Police recovered it intact later that morning. The suspects abandoned the SUV in the 2700 block of Shenandoah Road, Fort Worth, less than a mile away. They fled on foot or in another vehicle. No cash was taken, turning this high-risk operation into a costly failure for the perpetrators.

Police Response and Investigation

White Settlement Police Department leads the probe, with Detective Geovanny Ramirez urging public tips at 817-246-7070 ext. 420. Fort Worth Police assisted in tracking the SUV using license plate readers and cameras. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office processes the vehicle for forensics. Tarrant County Crime Stoppers offers anonymous tips at 817-469-TIPS. By afternoon of December 24, authorities released the surveillance video to identify the two men in distinctive attire—one in white sneakers, the other in black.

Investigators suspect connections to two similar ATM theft attempts at local convenience stores in the prior two weeks. This pattern underscores vulnerabilities in 24/7 retailers like 7-Eleven, which face lax overnight security. Such “rip jobs” have surged nationwide since 2020, fueled by cash-heavy ATMs amid bank branch closures. In Texas suburbs like White Settlement, high-traffic spots near I-30 invite quick strikes.

Community and Economic Fallout

The 7-Eleven suffers extensive damage—shattered windows, wrecked interior, structural harm—leading to closure, repair costs in the thousands, and lost holiday revenue. Residents of White Settlement and Fort Worth voice safety fears over this apparent crime spree. No injuries occurred, but the incident erodes trust in everyday retail spots. Heightened patrols now protect the area, yet suspects remain at large, possibly local given the short abandonment distance.

Longer-term, businesses face rising insurance premiums and demands for upgrades like bollards or reinforced ATMs. This failed heist highlights broader trends in the convenience sector, pushing toward cashless systems amid a U.S. theft wave. Under President Trump’s leadership, communities expect stronger law enforcement to restore order, rejecting soft-on-crime policies that let predators roam free. Public vigilance remains key to swift justice.