SHAH ALAM: Another ATM became the target of thieves - this time in a convenience store in Bukit Jelutong.
They took RM290,000 from the machine and RM30,000 from the store’s safe.
The thieves managed to switch off the alarm system and remove the recordings on the closed circuit television camera.
On early Monday, an ATM in a bank in Puchong was severely damaged when thieves used homemade explosives to blast open the machine. They however did not manage to get any money.
In yesterday’s incident, a worker found the ATM machine and safe deposit box broken when he opened the store at 7am.
Shah Alam district police chief Asst Comm Noor Azam Jamaludin said police discovered a grinder near the ATM machine and safe deposit box which were located at the back of the store.
“We can’t tell exactly what time and how many people were involved because the CCTV recording was taken away,” said ACP Noor Azam at the crime scene.
He believed the crime took place between midnight and early morning and was carried out by more than one person.
Initial investigations showed the thieves had climbed to the ceiling of the store through an empty shoplot next door. Once there, they cut a hole in the ceiling to get inside.
Meanwhile, police have called on banks to increase security for their ATMs by having guards patrol these areas.
“Just because there are no live transactions involved, it doesn’t mean the area doesn’t need surveillance,” said Selangor CID chief Senior Asst Comm (II) Hasnan Hassan yesterday.
He said instead of only having security guards to man the main area in banks, they should also be stationed at the ATM section at all times.
On their part, SAC Hasnan said the police would increase patrols in areas where ATMs were located.
