Crime & Safety
Police Search for Men Who Allegedly Stole From Vending Machines
Two men have stolen money from vending machines all over Columbia, including ones at Lexington Medical Center, according to the hospital's public safety department.
Police are looking for two men who they say stole money from more than 20 vending machines in the Columbia area, including ones at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia.
The two men forced entry into some of the machines with minimal damage and used a wire-type device to manipulate the coin release in others, according to a press release from Lexington Medical Center Public Safety. Police say 22 of the machines from which the men stole were Coca-Cola machines.
Video surveillance at Lexington Medical Center captured pictures of the two men police believe broke into the machines. They were driving a 2000-2004 gold, four-door Dodge Intrepid with damage to the passenger-side front bumper.
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Anyone with information about the suspects or the crimes should call Lexington Medical Center Public Safety at 803-791-2192 or Crimestoppes at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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