Robbers drain Alabama Wal-Mart cash registers in minutes www.privateofficer.com

HARTSELLE, Alabama March 29 2011 — Authorities say thousands of dollars were stolen from a north Alabama Walmart when thieves opened registers and drained them of cash in a matter of minutes.

WHNT-TV obtained security tapes showing two females and one male opening two registers in a Walmart in Hartselle. Police say the suspects walked out with more than $4,500 within 7 minutes.

Authorities say it appears they used a key to access the registers.

Hartselle Police Lt. Justin Barley says a lot of registers were open and the suspects just slid around and nobody noticed.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the March 5 crime is linked to similar thefts. Barley said police have some indication that this might be an ongoing problem in Alabama and possibly in Georgia as well.