Early this morning, a cash machine at a La Caixa ATM was forcibly removed from a Murcia bank branch by a crane truck. The incident took place in the Martinez del Puerto district, where the machine was carried off, and the building was left destroyed as the perpetrators fled with the vehicle.
The events unfolded around 03:50. Local Murcia Police and Civil Guard units rushed to the scene, but the suspects had already escaped in the boom-equipped truck. The neighborhood woke to a loud disturbance, initially believed to be a traffic collision. Some residents even considered stepping out to assist potential victims, only to realize the scene depicted a robbery in progress.
Security forces have long noted a pattern in such thefts: the crane or heavy machinery used to lift the ATM often comes from scrap or is taken from nearby construction sites or machinery companies. Thieves prefer to remove the ATM from its original location rather than attempt to crack it on site, a choice driven by time, effort, and the risk of alerting nearby residents or witnesses who could summon help.
crime experts
Hours later, the recovered truck and the destroyed ATM were found abandoned in a nearby orchard. Sources close to the investigation suggest that the criminals planned to render the device operable to retrieve the loot, though the specific amount remains unquantified. The Civil Guard has assumed control of the inquiry, with investigators indicating the robbery was likely premeditated. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area to identify, locate, and apprehend those responsible, who are believed to have already left the zone. According to officials, the footage will be critical in piecing together the sequence of events and tying the suspects to the crime.
Experts noted that, in many similar cases, criminals target the ATM with a crane, remove it, and then disable any protective measures before escaping. The investigation will consider whether accomplices were involved and if the operation relied on technical knowledge of ATM security systems. At this stage, police emphasize the importance of residents reporting any suspicious activity they observed in the hours leading up to the incident, as it could provide crucial leads for the case. The Civil Guard has stated that ongoing inquiries will involve reviewing digital records and cross-referencing vehicle movements in the region to narrow down possible suspects. Attribution: authorities and crime analysts, via official briefings, acknowledge the need for patience as investigators compile evidence and seek warrants for further searches.