Robbers escape with RM70,000 after bombing ATM

KOTA KINABALU - Police are searching for robbers who got away with RM70,000 cash after blasting open an automated teller machine at a bank in the small coastal town of Membakut, about a 90-minute drive from here.

Beaufort district police chief  Deputy Supt Azmir Abdul Razak confirmed the incident which happened at about 2.15am today, saying he believed the work was carried out by amateurs.

“The robbers used some kind of homemade explosives to blast open the machine,” he said, adding that police had rushed to the scene upon receiving information.

It was learnt that the bank has no overnight security watch at their premises.

However, police are relying on CCTV footage to identify the suspects who had fled after prying open the ATM in a dark four wheel drive vehicle.

“We are still investigating the incident,” he said.