A House proposal that became law last year, to toughen Missouri’s penalties for “smash and grab” attacks on ATMs, could be slowing down an organized crime ring in the Kansas City area. Its sponsor says that the ring’s reach, and the repercussions of this new law, could extend into several states.
One of two men arrested for stealing a Richmond, Missouri ATM has been charged under that law, which took effect in August. It made the theft of a teller machine or its contents a Class C felony, punishable by three to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
According to a probable cause statement, Montez Sherman was one of the two men who early on New Year’s Day used a stolen truck to pull an ATM from its foundation and used a crowbar to break it open. More than $15,000 was taken and more than $32,000 in damage was done.
If not for the work of Representative Rick Francis (R-Perryville), Sherman might face a might lighter penalty.
“Both theft or destruction of property … I think they were both misdemeanors,” Francis said. “That was the whole reason for filing the bill. The deterrent wasn’t working.”
Francis worked on this legislation after learning that the Missouri Highway Patrol had recorded a sudden increase in smash-and-grab ATM attacks. Those numbers went from only two such crimes statewide in all of 2019 to at least 28 in 2021. When Francis began researching the issue in 2022, more than 20 ATMs had already been targeted in that year and more than $200,000 had been stolen, and that was not for the full year.
He learned that many of those incidents in Missouri were connected to a crime ring that had originated in Texas and spread from there.
Francis and the law enforcement personnel he’s spoken to say the fact that criminal organizations are behind these crimes, anything that could deter them will make Missourians safer.
That Sherman and the others involved in the Richmond incident used a stolen truck to pull the ATM is similar to many of the other smash-and-grabs in Missouri and other states. Richmond Police believe these individuals are part of a ring that has been committing such crimes in the Kansas City Metro area, but Francis thinks their ties go even further.
“They actually have some leads going back into Houston, Texas, so it would be nice to see some arrests where the ring starts,” Francis said.
Francis called it deeply satisfying to see an issue on which he and his colleagues spent so much time and effort, making a difference in Missouri, calling it the second such reminder in recent weeks.
Two weeks ago, House members heard that for the first time in Missouri, a healthy newborn baby was left in a Safe Haven Baby Box, to be safely surrendered to emergency responders. That “baby box” is allowed under a 2021 House proposal.
“That made me feel good as well, and now this week, from the bankers’ point of view, they say actually the good guys won one,” Francis said.
Francis’ bill last year was House Bill 725, the language of which became law as part of Senate Bill 186.
