STERLING – Sterling police are investigating links between two ATM thefts here in May and two within the last 2 weeks in Henry and Rock Island counties.

The latest thefts were reported early Tuesday at the Annawan Shell Express, 306 N. Canal St., and at the Great River Mart, 199 Route 84 in Cordova on June 15.

The thefts are similar: an ATV or recreational vehicle was used to smash through the businesses’ doors, the entire machine was taken, and the thefts occurred early in the morning, Officer Mike Henry said.