A quiet Sunday morning in Rifle, Colorado, turned into a crime scene after three masked men tried — and failed — to break into an ATM. The suspects took off before police arrived, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Now, Rifle Police are asking the public to help fill in the gaps.

Failed ATM break-in at Bank of Colorado

According to Rifle Police Department, the attempted theft happened at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, at the Bank of Colorado branch located on 1200 Railroad Avenue. Officers say three individuals, dressed in masks and gloves, tried to access the machine but couldn’t breach it.

Their plan didn’t go far.

Police say no money was taken and there was only minor damage to the ATM. The suspects bolted on foot after the unsuccessful attempt.

That’s all investigators have — for now.

Police looking for leads, turning to the public

With no immediate suspects and limited physical evidence, Rifle PD is now turning to the community. They’re urging residents and businesses nearby to review any security or doorbell camera footage from around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Even a blurry shadow could help.

“Sometimes it’s not about catching a face. It’s the shoes, the car, the way someone walks — that’s enough to crack a case,” said Detective Laura Candelaria, who’s leading the investigation.

In small towns like Rifle, surveillance footage isn’t just helpful — it can be a lifeline. That’s why the department is pushing hard for people to double-check their camera archives.

One small paragraph here to break the rhythm.

It only takes one frame to change everything.

Crime on the Western Slope: rare, but not unheard of

While large metro areas like Denver and Aurora deal with daily reports of property crimes, places like Rifle — population around 10,000 — typically fly under the radar. That’s part of what’s so unsettling for locals.

It’s not every day you hear about ski-masked guys attacking a bank machine in the middle of the night.

Here’s what makes the whole thing feel odd:

• The suspects didn’t seem to have the proper tools — no blow torches or advanced tech

• They fled on foot instead of in a waiting car

• The ATM sustained only surface-level damage, suggesting inexperience

Police say that all points to amateurs. But even amateur criminals can get lucky if they’re not caught fast.

ATM thefts on the rise nationwide

It might feel isolated, but what happened in Rifle isn’t as rare as it once was. Across the U.S., ATM-related crimes have been climbing — especially since 2020.

According to FBI reports, there’s been a notable uptick in ATM attacks involving everything from crowbars to stolen trucks.

Take a look at this national snapshot:

Experts believe a mix of inflation, online crime tutorials, and poorly secured machines may be behind the trend. But in Rifle, it’s still something of a shock.

Bank of Colorado has not released a public statement but confirmed it is working with local law enforcement.

Not just about the money — it’s the fear it leaves behind

For residents, the attempted break-in stirred up more than just frustration. It rattled the sense of safety that comes from living in a place where everybody knows everybody.

“I don’t even lock my back door most nights,” said Matthew Pike, who lives two blocks from the bank. “But this? It’s weird. Makes you think twice.”

And it’s not just homeowners. Small business owners nearby have started reviewing their security footage, just in case the suspects strolled past.

Maya’s Café, which sits across the street from the bank, reviewed hours of overnight footage but didn’t find anything useful — yet.

“I’m still checking,” said the café’s owner. “I mean, what if I caught them walking by with a crowbar or something? That could really help.”

Another single-sentence paragraph to keep the energy flowing.

People want to feel useful when something like this happens.

Police stay tight-lipped, investigation continues

Rifle PD has yet to release suspect descriptions beyond the basics — three men, masked, gloved, wearing dark clothes. No word on whether fingerprints, shoeprints, or other evidence were recovered at the scene.

But the department says they’re working with neighboring agencies to piece together a timeline. It’s possible the suspects were seen elsewhere before or after the incident, especially if they walked or drove through downtown Rifle.

Detective Candelaria said they’re hopeful community tips will help move things forward. “We’re tracking down leads, reviewing footage, and encouraging people not to dismiss anything that feels even a little off.”

One more short beat.

Something as small as a hoodie color could crack this case wide open.