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2 Charged In Series Of ATM Thefts From New Jersey Businesses

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two men in Newark have been charged in connection with 10 ATM crash and grab incidents across northern New Jersey.

"Working cooperatively with our law enforcement partners we were able to arrest two men who we believe were responsible for multiple incidents of crashing into businesses, grabbing automatic teller machines and fleeing with significant sums of cash,'' said Acting Prosecutor Carolyn Murray. "These arrests are significant but the investigation is continuing.''

The arrests of Levell Burnett, 38, and Mark Smith, 32, on Tuesday followed a six-month investigation by a joint task force comprised of federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies, Essex County prosecutors said.

Burnett and Smith are facing multiple counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, theft of an ATM and criminal mischief.

Burnett is charged with 10 incidents in Newark, Bloomfield, Maplewood, Jersey City and Kearny, while Smith is charged in nine in Newark, Bloomfield, Maplewood, Jersey City and Kearny.

Officials said in most of the cases, the pair used a truck to crash into the front of the business and then took the ATM machine.

"It has been extremely difficult on local businesses as a result of the damage caused by criminals' thefts of ATMs. The task force had a daunting task before them in attempting to catch the actors involved. Through diligence and excellent police work, detectives have captured two suspects wanted in connection to several of these thefts. I thank the team for their persistence in making these arrests," said Newark Police Director Eugene Venable.

The incidents spanned from October, 2014 through late January, 2015

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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