24 October 2016

The case of an ATM, a trolley and a station wagon at East Hotel

| Jane Speechley
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The front entrance of the East Hotel

From RiotACT reader Johanna this week comes a story that reinforces that old belief; that if you look confident enough and act like you know what you’re doing, you can get away with just about anything.

At around 8.30am last Thursday morning, a Caucasian man believed to be in his late 40s/early 50s walked into the East Hotel foyer in Manuka with a goods trolley. He proceeded to unplug and load up a freestanding ATM before wheeling it out the door and down the street.

We’ve not been able to confirm whether he was wearing hi-vis or carrying a clipboard, but no doubt such accessories would have added further credibility to his appearance.

Walking past the building on her way to work, and accompanied by her two young children, Johanna was approached by two (as yet unidentified) security guards, who asked if she had “seen a man with an ATM?” Baffled, she replied no and continued on her way.

It was just a few moments later, as she approached Telopea Park, that Johanna spotted the alleged thief. Now looking rather dishevelled, he was trying in vain, by himself, to load the ATM into the back of a green Ford Falcon station wagon parked on the nature strip. Apparently, even in crime circles, it’s hard to find good help these days.

Brave Johanna yelled out to anyone who would listen and soon attracted the attention of a few passers-by. The unlucky would-be crook tried for a few more moments before abandoning the ATM and speeding off in a panic – but not before the bemused witnesses got a good description and licence plate details.

The foyer of the East Hotel, where the ATM is usually located

Staff at East Hotel have confirmed the attempted burglary, and we understand the man had been seen at the hotel several times over the preceding weeks. While the ATM remains out of commission for now, it’s expected to be reinstalled this week (no doubt with increased security).

ACT Policing has also confirmed that a report has been made, and further progress on the case is expected this week. If you know anything, give Crime Stoppers a call on 1800 333 000 or visit the website.

Great work by Johanna. Not all heroes wear capes.

And on a serious note, people who are happy and healthy do not attempt to steal ATMs in broad daylight. Let’s hope our hapless thief gets the help he needs.

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justin heywood10:22 pm 25 Oct 16

MERC600 said :

If he had time he could have done like those bank robbers in France some years ago and left a message.

sans armes, ni haine, ni violence (“without weapons, nor hatred, nor violence”)

That was pretty cool.

Our local master criminal could have gone with;

‘sans amis, sans force, sans cerveaux’ (without friends, without strength, without brains)

Jane Speechley said :

TracyS said :

“…people who are happy and healthy do not attempt to steal ATMs in broad daylight. Let’s hope our hapless thief gets the help he needs.”

He made a plan and carried it out – with some bravado it seems. The fact that it was a bad plan and he didn’t take into account all the contingencies is not a reflection of poor mental health.

Agreed TracyS, mental health is far too important an issue with too many unnecessary stigmas already attached.

I was more suggesting that this is clearly not someone who is in a great place in their life, and probably needs some help, some good advice or a bit of a reality check.

Maybe the mental health of the ATM installer who forgot the dynabolts should be considered too.

If he had time he could have done like those bank robbers in France some years ago and left a message.

sans armes, ni haine, ni violence (“without weapons, nor hatred, nor violence”)

Somehow you have to kind of dip your lid to the bloke.

Jane Speechley3:15 pm 25 Oct 16

TracyS said :

“…people who are happy and healthy do not attempt to steal ATMs in broad daylight. Let’s hope our hapless thief gets the help he needs.”

He made a plan and carried it out – with some bravado it seems. The fact that it was a bad plan and he didn’t take into account all the contingencies is not a reflection of poor mental health.

Agreed TracyS, mental health is far too important an issue with too many unnecessary stigmas already attached.

I was more suggesting that this is clearly not someone who is in a great place in their life, and probably needs some help, some good advice or a bit of a reality check.

JaneSpeechley4:59 pm 24 Oct 16

He could have requested a work detail from AMC, at least.

Well, if he’s as good at evading the police as he is at stealing ATMs (i.e., not very), he might have the chance to make a few friends at the AMC sooner rather than later!

JaneSpeechley said :

justin heywood said :

“Lol. He doesn’t have an illness. He was happy enough to plan and carry out the robbery, and confident enough to think he could get away with it.

If it wasn’t for Johanna’s very courageous decision to get involved, he’d be congratulating himself for his cleverness and boldness.

He just needed a few more hours at the gym. And a few more brain cells.

Maybe the help he needs, is a few stronger and smarter friends to talk him out of ideas like this? 😉

He could have requested a work detail from AMC, at least.

JaneSpeechley1:26 pm 24 Oct 16

justin heywood said :

“Lol. He doesn’t have an illness. He was happy enough to plan and carry out the robbery, and confident enough to think he could get away with it.

If it wasn’t for Johanna’s very courageous decision to get involved, he’d be congratulating himself for his cleverness and boldness.

He just needed a few more hours at the gym. And a few more brain cells.

Maybe the help he needs, is a few stronger and smarter friends to talk him out of ideas like this? 😉

“…people who are happy and healthy do not attempt to steal ATMs in broad daylight. Let’s hope our hapless thief gets the help he needs.”

He made a plan and carried it out – with some bravado it seems. The fact that it was a bad plan and he didn’t take into account all the contingencies is not a reflection of poor mental health.

Serina Huang11:44 am 24 Oct 16

Oh, this is too funny. Glad it was a good outcome in the end.

He is channelling the success of the ACT government stealing money from ratepayers in broad daylight.

It was just bad luck that his helper/s were either on a rostered day off or personal leave.

justin heywood8:46 am 24 Oct 16

“….people who are happy and healthy do not attempt to steal ATMs in broad daylight. Let’s hope our hapless thief gets the help he needs.”

Lol. He doesn’t have an illness. He was happy enough to plan and carry out the robbery, and confident enough to think he could get away with it.

If it wasn’t for Johanna’s very courageous decision to get involved, he’d be congratulating himself for his cleverness and boldness.

He just needed a few more hours at the gym. And a few more brain cells.

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