It was one of two ATM raids that took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
A roof of a petrol station collapsed during an ATM raid in Down in the early hours of Monday morning.
Police received a report on Monday morning that a bulldozer was seen being used in an attempt to rip an ATM machine out of a wall of a petrol station on the Belfast Road in Ballynahinch.
A silver-coloured Volkswagen Passat car with a trailer was also reported at the scene.
The people involved fled the scene empty-handed, but did cause “substantial damage” to the premises and to the roof of the forecourt.
In a separate incident, a staff member arrived at their workplace on Saintfield Road in Belfast to find that entry had been forced to the premises and that an ATM had been taken.
PSNI Detective Inspector Richard Thornton condemned both of the incidents, saying: “This was a brazen and despicable attack by those involved who have caused serious disruption to the business affected and to its customers.
“This attack has also caused widespread disruption to people using the Belfast Road, which remains closed as we continue with our enquiries.”
He continued: “ATM theft and attempted theft is not a victimless crime and these attacks cause untold loss and disruption to people and businesses, many of whom depend on their local ATM provision for access to cash. I want to take this opportunity to urge people to continue to be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity they see in their area.”
Anyone with information about either of these incidents is urged to call 101, quoting reference numbers 181 of 18/11/19 or 252 of 18/11/19.
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