Thieves go away empty handed as ATM withstands blasts

Thieves go away empty handed as ATM withstands blasts
Tags: Bank / Credit Union, Regulatory Issues, Retail / Off-Premises
October 26, 2003

SUGITOMACHI, Japan - Would-be thieves blew up an unmanned booth housing an ATM, but went away empty handed as the machine remained intact, according to The Daily Yomiuri.

Police said they arrived at about 4:10 a.m.,shortly after loud explosions, which activated an alarm, were heard. About 7 million yen (U.S. $64,000) inside the machine was untouched.

Police found shattered glass from the booth's door and nine windows. An aluminum door and window frames were twisted and detached from the wall.

An unidentified 48-year-old employee of a nearby convenience store told police he was awakened by the explosions.

"I heard a noise like bursting car tires twice, five minutes apart. I was surprised to hear that they were blasts," he said.