Stephon Nicholas
Tobago Correspondent
A brazen ATM heist in Plymouth, Tobago, has stunned residents who have described the incident as straight out of a movie.
Superheroes turned into villains on Tuesday night as five bandits — one of them dressed as Batman — used a backhoe to smash the building housing the ATM.
However, despite dislodging the vault in approximately three minutes, the bandits were unable to escape with the loot.
Police say the robbery attempt was well coordinated as the thieves first held up three estate constables at a THA facility in Courland.
The men allegedly instructed the guards to hand over the keys to a yellow Caterpillar backhoe and a white Mazda truck.
The suspects then drove the backhoe less than three kilometres to Shelbourne Street, where the First Citizens ATM was located.
CCTV footage showed the bandits using the arm of the backhoe to destroy part of the building before prying out the vault. However, their plans unravelled as the arm of the backhoe was damaged.
After seven unsuccessful minutes trying to get the vault into the tray of the van, the frustrated bandits jumped into the van and another getaway vehicle and escaped without a dollar.
Their would-be loot remained locked in the vault on the ground until police and First Citizens officials arrived to remove it.
Police later found the stolen van abandoned at Adventure Trace.
When Guardian Media visited Shelbourne Street yesterday, most villagers were too scared to speak, fearing “the killers” would return.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a resident living upstairs in the building where the ATM is located said he was awakened to a loud bang and thought it was an accident.
“I say is a drunk man or somebody skid off the road and crash or something,” he said.
However, a second loud thud, which shook the entire structure, left him petrified. He said he peered through the window and saw the backhoe attempting to access the ATM.
He said he quickly called police and reported the incident. Police were also notified when the bandits left and the direction they took, but they were unable to intercept them.
The resident said the incident has left him uncomfortable, as the area is not remote and has several houses and small businesses.
A shopkeeper opposite the ATM said she is now worried for her own establishment.
“I have burglarproof in my shop, but you see how they got the ATM, they could get to anywhere. Anywhere could be broken into.”
Other villagers told Guardian Media that the bandits had to be outsiders, insisting no one from the area would commit such a crime.
They described the incident as a huge inconvenience, with the closest ATM now at Pleasant Prospect. They fear First Citizens would not replace the ATM anytime soon.
While most villagers condemned the incident, many believe the brazenness shows how desperate people have become.
One man told Guardian Media, “People hungry and eh have nothing. Me eh siding with them eh, because people coming and get their money right there, but people hungry.”
The shopkeeper believes the incident was a sign of how bad the economy is.
Electoral representative Kern Alexis described the incident as unacceptable and said it has left him troubled. He backed the police in their efforts to keep Plymouth safe and apprehend the suspects.
Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent Mahalia Bacchus said investigations are ongoing. She encouraged anyone with information to share it with the police.
