By V Shuman

KAJANG, MALAYSIA: In what was described as a well-planned heist, seven men cut through an automated teller machine (ATM) before emptying it of RM350,000 (S$147,000) yesterday.

The robbers were well prepared. They came with oxy-acethylene torches and knew where the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were located.

All four CCTVs were then covered up and the robbers spent close to two hours cutting through the ATM and emptying its contents.

The drama unfolded at 3.45am when the seven robbers turned up at Wisma Unikeb in Bandar Baru Bangi here.

The robbers, wearing ski-masks, forced their way into Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's cooperative building next to its main campus.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shaka-ruddin Che Mood said the robbers took out parang and threatened the three security guards and two general workers.

The victims were herded into a room on the first floor of the building and tied up.

"The robbers proceeded to the ground floor, where four ATMs were located. They then covered the four CCTVs," Shakaruddin said, adding that the robbers also disarmed the alarm system.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had used a gas-powered cutting torch to cut through the outer shell of the ATM.

A closed-circuit television camera covered up by the robbers. Photo: NST

"This is based on a cigarette lighter and a pail of water found at the crime scene," said Shakaruddin, adding that water was needed to make the cutting smooth.

"The robbers had planned the heist well. They knew where the CCTVs were and brought the necessary tools with them."

He said police were informed about 6am after the victims freed themselves.

Police suspect that the robbers are foreigners between the ages of 20 and 30.

Shakaruddin urged those with information to contact the nearest police station or the Kajang police headquarters at 03-8736-2222.

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