Odd Stories: Tunneling Burglars Steal ATM

Manchester, England - Bad timing has cost some hard working thieves $20,000 following a successful ATM theft at a British Blockbuster last week. The thieves probably believed it was full of money; however, due to the high volume of withdrawals between the holidays and the theft it actually held about 6,000 British pounds (approximately 9,200 USD).

After discovering the ATM missing, employees called the police. It wasn't until investigators arrived that the tunnel was discovered. The tunnel led to a lot 100 feet from the Blockbuster store. It appeared that the 'mole gang' used a railway embankment to get the tunnel started.

Detective Sargent Ian Shore from Longsight Crime Investigation Department said, "These people had obviously spent a long time plotting this crime and I doubt they would have been able to keep their plans secret for all that time, without telling others about their scheme."

Although tunneling appears a bit unusual for a burglary attempt, the Fallowfield district Blockbuster had a previous run-in with human moles in 2007. The tunnel reportedly went under a car park and had been given lights and roof supports. Electrical workers discovered the tunnel and subsequently, it was filled with cement, thwarting any possibility of the burglary occurring.

Det. Sgt Shore stated, "In all my years of service, I've never seen anything as elaborate."