Stolen Backhoe Fails To Crack ATM In Prince George's County: Police

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — In what authorities have called a bold but unsuccessful ATM heist, a thief stole a backhoe and used its huge claw to rip apart the cash machine — but still failed to grab the money. Prince George's County Police on Wednesday released security camera video of the ATM's demolition and asked for tips from the public to find the robber.

The stolen backhoe was driven about five miles to a bank in the 7500 block of Marlboro Pike. Once he reached the drive-through ATM, the suspect used the giant backhoe arm to bash and break apart the machine. The botched robbery happened about 4:30 a.m. on June 1.

Despite the extreme force applied to the ATM, the suspect couldn't get any money. But the bungled attempt caused about $10,000 worth of damage to the machine, police said.

Detectives believe the same suspect is behind an ATM theft in March of 2016. In that case, the robber and two accomplices broke into a tobacco shop on Marlboro Pike. Once inside, they stole cash and also took the ATM.

Anyone with information on either case linked to this suspect is asked to call 301-390-2160.

»Images of theft suspect, backhoe courtesy of Prince George's County Police