Riyadh police solve ATM theft case; five arrested

RIYADH: With the arrest of a gang of five Syrians, the Riyadh police on Tuesday claimed to have foiled the daring theft of an automated teller machine (ATM). The thieves were trying to take it away with a big amount of cash inside.

The Naeem district police station received a complaint that an ATM machine was removed and taken with the money inside to an known location. The case was quickly referred to the criminal search and investigation unit of the Riyadh police.
A thorough investigation pointed the needle of suspicion to the five suspects and the police started monitoring their movements.
“After watching their movements carefully and inquiries into their background and behavior, they were intercepted at a check point. They were immediately detained as tools used for cutting and smashing metal and iron besides a big amount of cash was found in their vehicle,” the police said.
Initial investigations suggested that they were behind the ATM heist and they were plotting to commit 11 similar crimes in different parts of the capital, the police said.
“Under interrogation, the suspects have admitted to have removed the ATM from its location and taking it to a remote area. They then broke it open and shared the cashe found in it,” the police said.
“We have recorded the confession by them about the ATM theft and their plans to commit more such crimes. The gang used stolen cars to mislead the security authorities.”
The police said the investigation papers have been sent to the general investigation and persecution authority for further action and procedures for referring the case to the court.
Various suggestions have previously been made like satellite-monitored chips at existing ATMs and thick concrete walls around new ones to prevent theft.
A commission comprising three government agencies has also called for exploring the possibility of activating the self-destruction of cash ability of an ATM if it is exposed to theft.
Representatives of the Directorate of Public Security, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) had also explored mechanisms to minimize the uprooting and stealing of ATMs.