Bill would set penalties for ATM thefts, robberies, and attacks

People who rob or extort ATM users, workers servicing ATMs, or certain cash delivery workers could face up to 20 years in prison. This covers people using or servicing an ATM, ATM owners or operators, and people transporting or delivering property for an ATM owner or operator under a contract or as an employee. The crime must involve force, violence, intimidation, or extortion and be directly and immediately connected to using or servicing an ATM, or to delivering property for an ATM.

Unauthorized ATM property crimes would carry penalties based on the amount taken; related assaults, killings, and forced accompaniment would carry higher penalties. The property penalties apply to breaking into, tampering with, damaging, removing, or stealing an ATM without the owner's or operator's permission, with intent to steal money or property from it. Taking more than $1,000 from an ATM could carry up to 10 years in prison; taking $1,000 or less could carry up to 1 year. People who knowingly handle property stolen under this subsection could face the taker's penalty. Forcibly assaulting someone or putting a life in danger with a dangerous weapon or device while committing or attempting an offense could carry up to 25 years. Killing someone or forcing them to accompany the offender could carry up to 30 years; if death results, the sentence could be any number of years or life.