Phuket ATM robbers were 'amateurs', says expert

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Phuket ATM robbers were 'amateurs', says expert
Phuket Gazette


A professional could have cut open the ATM in about 20 minutes, said welding expert Wisut Pumsiri. Photo: Irfarn Jamdukor

PHUKET: -- A welding expert today branded the thieves who last week used a blowtorch to steal 1.6 million baht from an ATM at Phuket’s Boat Lagoon as “amateurs”.

Stuck for clues in tracking down the bandits, Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Serm Kwannimit today brought welding expert Wisut Pumsiri to inspect the scene of the crime (story here).

“I believe the thieves spent more than 40 minutes breaking into the ATM, which makes me think they were not professional welders,” Mr Wisut told the Phuket Gazette.

“It would have taken a professional only about 20 minutes,” he added.

Mr Wisut, who has 20 years of experience in welding, pointed out many cut lines on the outside of the ATM.

“This shows they had no plan of how to start cutting through the steel. Also, the blowtorch they used is easy to order from websites and easily found at local stores,” he added.

Col Serm reported that CCTV footage confirmed that two men were involved in the robbery. However, the CCTV camera was too far away to catch clear enough images for police to identify the suspects.

“We believe the thieves were the same people who unsuccessfully tried to rob an ATM near an intersection on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang at 1:20am the same day,” Col Serm said.

“CCTV footage recorded two men making the attempted robbery. One of the men was carrying a backpack, and we believe there was a blowtorch inside the bag,” he added.

Col Serm declined to reveal any other lines of investigation into the robbery.

“We will continue our investigation by trying to identify the people in the CCTV images captured in Thalang and we will question more witnesses,” Col Serm said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-ATM-robbers-were-amateurs-says-expert-22772.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-11-12

[JetsetBkk]

They must've been fairly clued up to have avoided, by-passed or deactivated the alarm system.

Er, there was an alarm system, wasn't there?

Please don't tell me boxes full of money are left all night unguarded by an alarm system.

[Chicog]

Well there's normally a camera looking straight out from the thing, so these "amateurs" must have covered it up.

[JoeThePoster]

Amateur welders, but professional thieves.

[madmitch]

Another totally misleading headline from the Phuket Gazette.

I was expecting to read about them not being professional criminals.

Still, I suppose that's all the welders off the hook.

[JetsetBkk]

Well there's normally a camera looking straight out from the thing, so these "amateurs" must have covered it up.

I guess no one in the ATM security business thought of that trick.

[livingthedream]

BiB chief "Right boys listen up we're looking for amateurs right? NOT professionals - the welder said so "

[jocko]

Another professional getting it wrong.

[Ulic]

They may have been amateurs but they were successful.

[shaurene]

Any one can do it here, couple guys in security uniforms standing guard, boards up to say ATMS out of use for service and repairs couple stacks of copy metal cash boxs that go into theATM's couple fire extinguishers couple guys in overalls with a service company's name on, even the police would pass them by. Also a van with fancy wording on.

[mdmayes]

20 min or 40 min...they got away with 1.6 million baht and that says there pros.

[JulesMad]

Who cares about their welding skills?!? The important thing is they got 1.6M THB, not bad for 40 minutes work

Even if they would have done it 20 minutes, the money stays the same... So maybe they were relaxed 'amateurs', and took their time with a little BBQ (welding torch came in handy!) and maybe had a beer and a cigarette break...

[IrishIvan]

I have never seen oxy - acetalyne bottles that can fit into a backpack, perhaps the investigators arent professionals