THIEVES tried to steal money from a cash machine by attempting to blow it up. A device placed on the machine at the Costcutter shop on Annareagh Road, Hamiltonsbawn, Co Armagh, exploded at about 2.30am yesterday. The machine was extensively damaged. However, no money was taken.
British army bomb disposal experts later made the device safe. The gang had used spray paint to black out security lights close to the cash machine. Detectives believe the gang drove off towards Markethill.
A black Audi car was found abandoned on Gosford Road a short time later.
Police appealed for information.
It is the second time this year that an explosive device was used in a bid to steal a cash machine from a filling station in Co Tyrone.
Last month bomb disposal experts were called to the Centra store in Carrickmore following the theft and parts of a device were taken away for examination.