Melbourne CBD rocked by ATM explosion, alleged thief critically injured
An audacious attempt to blast open an ATM in Melbourne’s bustling CBD took a grim turn overnight, leaving one alleged offender with life-altering injuries after the homemade explosive device detonated prematurely.
The incident unfolded around 2:45 AM on Victoria Street, at the Queen Victoria Market, where three individuals allegedly deployed explosives in a bid to breach the cash machine. However, the crude device reportedly ignited directly in the face of one of the men.
Victoria Police confirmed the injured man was found a short time later on Peel Street, suffering from severe facial trauma. He was rushed to hospital under police guard, where his condition remains critical. His two alleged accomplices, however, vanished into the pre-dawn darkness, leaving their severely injured associate behind.
Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray minced no words in his appeal for the remaining offenders to surrender. “I have said it before and I will say it again: fire and incendiary devices are volatile, unpredictable and incredibly dangerous in untrained hands,” Murray stated, underscoring the inherent risks of such reckless acts.
Murray urged the fleeing pair to come forward, asserting, “It is only a matter of time until you are identified and arrested – I would appeal to you to visit your nearest police station and hand yourselves in before then.”
Authorities have clarified that this explosion is not connected to the recent wave of attacks targeting hospitality venues across Melbourne. The investigation into the botched ATM heist and the whereabouts of the two outstanding suspects is actively ongoing.