The two bandits attempting to blow up ATMs for cash struck again recently, though they have yet to be successful.
The most recent attempt came Jan. 18 in West Jordan at the Chartway Federal Credit Union at 2089 W 9000 South, West Jordan police Sgt. J.C. Holt said. The suspects have been using propane as an accelerant.
“They are essentially failed attempts,” Holt said.
The idea is to use a tube connected to a propane tank to flood the machine with gas, then leave a trail of fuel to light, hoping it travels into the machine and explodes it, freeing the cash.
The first try brought the suspects, believed to be males, closest to pay dirt.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 7, the suspects were able to blow up an ATM at the Golden West Credit Union, near 7800 South and 5600 West. While the ATM was destroyed, the cash vault was not breached, Holt said.
(Photo courtesy of the West Jordan Police Department) A small fire is captured by surveillance cameras during an attempted ATM robbery on Jan. 7. The two suspects were able to explode the cash machine, but the blast wasn't powerful enough to break into the cash vault.
Later that night, Salt Lake City Police responded to America First Credit Union, 1799 S. Pioneer Road (2700 West), to find a propane tank with a tube running into an ATM. But officers were able to shut off the gas and there was no explosion.
Video of the Jan. 18 attempt shows the suspects did start a fire, though not much else seems to have happened, Holt said.
The two suspects are believed to be responsible for all three attempts, and surveillance footage shows them driving a red sedan with peeling paint on the roof.
(Photo courtesy of the West Jordan Police Department) Surveillance footage shows the vehicle the two suspects believed to be trying to blow up ATMs were traveling in. A propane tank is seen on the passenger seat.
While the suspects haven’t been able to steal any money, they are damaging property and potentially putting themselves in harm’s way.
“It’s just a really dangerous method,” Holt said. “And we are afraid they are going to get hurt.”