Suspected serial gumball machine bandit on the loose

Gumball machines are going missing in North Carolina. The gumball bandit most recently hit the Golden Corral restaurant in Gastonia sometime on Saturday night. That marked the sixth such machine stolen from a business in the area in the last month.

Falling victim were two restaurants, a nonprofit store and a barber's shop. The first stolen gumball machine was reported on Dec. 19 at Jackson’s Cafeteria. The front window was smashed, and the gumball machine was taken from the foyer. The cafeteria would be hit again weeks later on Jan. 5.



Again the window was smashed and another gumball machine was taken. The Habitat for Humanity Restore also had a gumball machine stolen, as did a Gastonia barber's shop. Police reports estimate the machines cost anywhere from $100 to $750. Investigators think the same person is committing all the thefts, according to Gastonia Police Sgt. Heath McMullan.

He is described as a white male, wearing blue jeans, a dark, thick jacket and boots. He could be driving a burgundy Toyota Camry. Police believe he may be taking the machines for the coins secured inside. Years ago, Gastonia Police say, there were similar crimes targeting gumball machines. Generally there’s not much more than $10 in each machine, McMullan estimates. Anyone with information on the cases is asked to call Gastonia Crime Stoppers.