A Danske Bank ATM in Newtownabbey has been ripped from a wall by thieves using a stolen digger.
The incident occurred on the Mallusk Road at around 3:10am on Friday when the digger was used to remove the built-in cash machine from the wall.
Substantial damage was caused to the building.
The digger was stolen from a nearby business and set on fire at the scene, immediately after the cash machine theft.
Thieves use stolen digger to rip ATM from NI filling station wall
Detective Chief Inspector David Henderson said: “At around 3.10am this morning a digger was used to remove the ‘built in’ cash machine from the wall of a bank on Mallusk Road.
"Substantial damage was caused to the building as a result of the incident. The digger is believed to have been stolen from a business a short distance away. It was set on fire at the scene immediately after the theft.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area of Mallusk Road between 2.30am and 3.30am and who witnessed what happened, or anyone who has any information which could assist our investigation to contact police on 101 quoting reference 163 22/03/19.
Belfast city centre robbery sparks police appeal
"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
Northern Ireland driver robbed at gunpoint in "brazen and despicable act"
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
