Shocking new footage shows the moment a band of ram-raiding thieves tow away a cash machine after trying to smash through it with a hammer.
The brazen theft in Teddington, southwest London, was captured by a young woman on her mobile phone early on Wednesday morning, with police now hunting four men after seizing an abandoned vehicle.
In CCTV footage, one man dressed in a black top, jeans, and a beanie hat, appears to use a hammer to try to smash the back of the machine. A few seconds later, a man is seen reversing from the busy road onto the pavement close to the standalone ATM, which was on the pavement outside a Londis.
Hammer Attack and Swift Getaway
One of the men attempted to smash into the cash machine with a hammer before it was taken by thieves. The same man then works with an accomplice to attach leads to the machine, after taking them from the boot of the car.
A few seconds later, the car pulls away at speed, tearing the entire cash machine from its mounting on the pavement and onto the tarmac, sending sparks flying in its wake. One of the men remains at the scene, standing over the empty space with a hammer in his hands.
Police Investigation and Appeal
A local resident said: “I couldn’t really understand what had happened because I saw the machine lying on its side on the pavement on Tuesday morning and I assumed someone had crashed into it, not tried to take it away.”
No one has been arrested, though police have seized an abandoned vehicle believed to be connected with the incident. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police said: “Police are investigating the theft of a cash machine from the outside a shop in Kingston Road, Teddington at 00:53hrs on Wednesday, 29 July.
“Although no arrests have been made at this stage, an abandoned vehicle has been seized in connection with the incident, and officers continue to work at pace to identify the four men believed to be involved.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 302/29JUL. Anonymous reports can be shared via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 using the same reference number.”
