Moment ram-raiding thieves tow cash machine out of the ground - after trying to smash into it with a hammer didn't work

By JOSHUA HAINING, NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:42, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 22:43, 2 August 2026 This is the moment ram-raiding thieves ripped a cash machine out of the ground with a car and drove off. The brazen crooks initially tried using a hammer to smash into the ATM before towing it away at around 12.50am on July 29. CCTV footage captured a blue car reversing on to the pavement next to the machine outside a Londis store in Teddington, London. Meanwhile, one thief, wearing jeans, a black top and a beanie approached the ATM and used a hammer to crack it open. After failing to break in, he opened the vehicle's boot and with the help of the driver attached white cables to the machine.  With the boot still open, the driver got back into the car and took off tearing the ATM out of the ground, as the hammer-wielding crook watched on. The beanie-clad crook then returned to the rubble-strewn spot where the ATM had stood and checked the ground for cash. As the heist took place, a young woman casually walked past on her phone completely unaware and a bus and car drove by. Police are now hunting four men in connection with the raid despite only two men appearing in the CCTV footage. A thief carrying a hammer watches his accomplices car tear the cash machine out of the ground Moments earlier the hammer-wielding crook and the driver attach cables to the ATM  A woman on her phone walked past the brazen thieves as they hooked up the cash machine to the car An 'abandoned vehicle' has also been seized as the investigation into the theft continues.  A local resident said: 'I couldn't really understand what had happened because I saw the machine lying on its side on the pavement on Tuesday morning and I assumed someone had crashed into it not tried to take it away.'  On a Facebook post showing footage of the heist, one user said: 'They are going to be very disappointed when they get the cash because it will be covered in red dye.' While another commented: 'He looked back if there is any money dropped out.' A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Police are investigating the theft of a cash machine from outside a shop in Kingston Road, Teddington at 00:53hrs on Wednesday, 29 July. 'Although no arrests have been made at this stage, an abandoned vehicle has been seized in connection with the incident, and officers continue to work at pace to identify the four men believed to be involved. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 302/29JUL. 'Anonymous reports can be shared via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 using the same reference number.'