The number of ATM explosions this year rose to seven on Friday night. As the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) announced, unknown perpetrators blew up two ATMs in two neighboring bank branches in Elsendorf (Kelheim district). The two buildings, which also contain apartments, were damaged, an LKA spokesman said on Friday. “The structural engineers did not find any major problems, so the two buildings were reopened in this regard.” It initially remained unclear how much loot the unknown perpetrators made.
According to the State Criminal Police Office, it was the seventh case of this type in the Free State this year. On average, an ATM exploded in Bavaria at least every ten days – including in Lower Franconia, Upper Bavaria and Upper Palatinate. In the same period last year, i.e. from the beginning of the year to March 8, 2023, investigators only registered two explosions.
When asked, an LKA spokesman did not want to say how much loot the perpetrators had made in Bavaria since the beginning of the year. The search for suspects is “in full swing.” He could not give any further details.
The number of ATM explosions in Bavaria fell significantly last year after several suspected perpetrators were arrested. While 37 cases were reported in 2022, there were only 21 last year. These included two unsuccessful attempts. At the turn of the year, investigators suspected that this trend would probably not continue. “We don’t need to be naïve,” said an LKA spokesman at the time. “The perpetrators will be replaced.”
On Friday morning, investigators in Elsendorf were initially busy examining the crime scenes. The LKA spokesman was initially unable to provide any information about the amount of possible loot from the explosions. Investigators hope that an investigation into the explosives in Munich in the coming days will provide clues to the perpetrators.