San Diego

Robbers Sought for Blowing Up ATMs With Explosive Devices in San Diego: FBI

Two men drove around San Diego blowing up ATM machines for cash

A couple robbers are still at large after blowing up two ATMs across San Diego. They detonated explosive devices inside the machine, in an effort to access the cash boxes inside.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is searching for two men who exploded a couple of ATMs across San Diego to get cash.

In two separate instances, the robbers tried to gain access to an ATM with the use of explosive devices, according to the FBI's Joint Bank Robbery Task Force.

Last Sunday, at around 6:30 a.m., the same suspects allegedly blew up an ATM at the Chevron gas station on Miramar Road, between Kearny Villa and Black Mountain roads. That ATM was located next to a gym, with preschools and residential neighborhoods nearby.

One of the suspects drilled a hole into the ATM and filled it with gasoline, said FBI officials.

The men placed a fuse into the ATM and detonated the device; the machine exploded. Once they managed to steal from the ATM's cash box, the men took off in their vehicle, driving east on Miramar Road.

That marks the second time these suspects placed explosive devices on an ATM in San Diego, according to the FBI.

The first attempt occurred on July 4 by the Cal Coast Credit Union bank on Ruffin Road by Ridehaven Court, next to a dance studio and other businesses.

A vehicle pulled up by the ATM, and the first suspect got out of the car and placed a pipe bomb device on the machine. FBI officials said the device was detonated, exploding on the ATM and shattering a glass pane. 

In this case, the suspects were unsuccessful at getting cash out of the machine and drove away, headed south on Ruffin Road.

Their vehicle was a dark-colored, 2000 to 2006 model Ford Escape with aftermarket wheels and a tow hitch with a ball, said FBI officials.

Investigators said the first suspect was described as a man, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium to heavy build. In the second robbery, he wore a dark, beanie-style hat with a short brim, a leather jacket, khaki cargo pants and dark-colored, skateboard-style shoes.

The second suspect was described as a man, about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium to heavy build. He wore a camouflage Gore-tex style rain jacket with a hood, dark jeans and brown boots.

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