Car wash burglarized in North Tonawanda

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Police in North Tonawanda are hoping video will help nab two car wash crooks who didn't make a clean getaway.

The surveillance video shows just how bold the criminals were. They were able to get away with about $4,000, but their attempt to get away without a trace clearly failed.

>> Watch the full surveillance video here

Tuesday night, at least two men were captured stealing thousands of dollars from two self-serve dog wash machines on Niagara Falls Boulevard at Zach's Car Wash. Tom Berndt manages the North Tonawanda shop and calls the crime a complete violation.

"It was horrible, and I've been here for a while. It's always been a good location, safe and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened," said Berndt.

The shop's owner didn't want to be on camera, but he walked us through everything, explaining how the crime progresses. One crook comes back not once, not twice, but three times, before cutting each padlock off the second machine. Finally, after spending mere minutes inside the dog wash, the thief walks off with about $4,000 in coins and dollar bills.

Another man, believed to be the driver of the car waiting outside, comes in at least once to check on his buddy.

The owner said, "They picked up everything. They didn't leave locks laying around; they didn't leave anything."

The two were in such a hurry to get away, the driver backs into the concrete post in front of the store. He actually gets out to inspect the damage done to his car, without noticing cameras were rolling the entire time.

With more cameras soon to be installed, managers are hopeful this will be the last time a crime like this happens. The owner is offering a reward of $500 to anyone who can help police make an arrest in the case.

If you have any information, call the Niagara County Sheriff's Office at 438-3394.