An arrest warrant has been issued against four men who are said to have blown up an ATM in Upper Franconia on Sunday. The police are accusing the Netherlands-based suspects of attempted murder, serious gang theft, causing an explosive explosion, destroying buildings and theft, a spokesman for the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) announced on Monday.
The men, aged between 22 and 26, were arrested as they fled on foot near Gefell in Thuringia (Saale-Orla district). They had previously caused an accident with wild animals in their getaway car and left the car behind on the A9 near Bad Lobenstein in Thuringia.
In the explosion at a bank branch in Konradsreuth (Hof district), the ATM and the bank’s foyer were significantly damaged. Residents had to be brought to safety. According to initial information, the LKA estimated the damage at a six-figure amount. The police reportedly found dyed cash on the suspects. The ATM therefore had a banknote coloring system that was triggered when it was blown up. The bank’s foyer was also locked between midnight and 4 a.m. as a precautionary measure. The alleged perpetrators struck shortly after four o’clock on Sunday. The LKA found an explosive device that was still intact in the suspects’ getaway car, which is being examined by forensic scientists.
According to the LKA, it was the ninth ATM explosion in Bavaria this year. There were further cases in Upper Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate. According to the information, last year there were only two explosions from the beginning of the year to March 8, 2023.