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Woman Robbed, Threatened With Knife At Lowell ATM

LOWELL (CBS) - It was an unsettling surveillance photo for Beth Kyles, a suspect holding a knife at the Lowell ATM where she had just made a withdrawal. Police say the knife-wielding thief, seen making a threatening gesture, snuck in behind a customer at 11:04 Tuesday night and made off with more than $400.00 as she made a deposit.

He then can be seen taking off on a bicycle. Not even the numerous surveillance cameras stopped him. "Somebody should be able to press a button," said Kyles. "Somebody gets scared and presses a button."

A so-called panic button is part of legislation that Mass. lawmakers are working on.

The bill was prompted by the brutal murder of Amy Lord, who was forced to withdraw money from as many as five ATMs with her killer Edwin Alemany at her side. ATMs would also need better lighting, even mirrors, and card-activated doors that work.

"Some security system that is connected to the police station would be good," said customer Tom Pham.

Police say in this case the suspect told the victim, "give me all the money or I'll stab you." He's described as a white male, approximately 5'8", slim build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and blue pajama type pants.

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