Coin-op Bandits Cleaning out Convenience Store Vacuum Cleaners

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -Columbus police say thieves are cleaning out some vacuum cleaner machines at gas stations.

So far, three Sprint Marts have been hit.

Investigators say the crooks are pulling in and breaking the machines open.

The company tells officers that machines in Columbus, Starkville,and Tupelo have been hit.

Police say the vacuum business is reporting a $20,000.00 loss, statewide.

Interim Police Chief Fred Shelton asks customers to watch activity around the machines to help officers catch the thieves.