ATM stolen in brazen ram raid

The aftermath of the ram raid. (Supplied)

Two men ram-raided a petrol station in Whittlesea this morning and escaped with its ATM.

Detectives from the Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit are hastily searching for the pair who used a stolen front-end loader to break-in to the Plenty Road service station.

The burglars arrived at United Petroleum, opposite Whittlesea Primary School, in a white single cab ute just before 3am on Thursday.

The wheel dozer used in the ram raid. (Supplied)
The wheel dozer used in the ram raid. (Supplied)

One of the men stole the front-end loader from a nearby business and drove it back to the service station before bulldozing the wall.

Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said they then dragged the ATM out of the shop, loaded it onto the waiting tray, and drove off on Wallans Road towards Wallan.

“Detectives are appealling for anyone who might have seen any suspicious activity in the area to come forward,” she said.

“Investigators particularly wish to speak to anyone who saw a white single cab tray utility around the time of the incident.”

The service station was closed at the time of the break-in. United Petroleum’s chief operating officer David Szymczah said the petrol station would reopen this afternoon.
He estimated the thieves had caused about $50,000 in damage.
“From time to time people try to steal ATMs from service stations. They’re usually unsuccessful. But never with a front loader,” he said. “It’s very rare they ever succeed.”

 

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.