Two youths copy TV to steal from ATM

Two youths tampered with a bank cash machine to steal $760 after seeing it done on a television programme.

In Auckland District Court yesterday student Shane Warren Junior Adlam, 19, and Ru Rene John Turoa, 17, both of Otara, admitted theft of the money and $300 damage to the Westpac ATM in Broadway, Newmarket.

The money was recovered and the pair were each ordered to do 80 hours' community work and pay half the damage to the ATM.

The court was told how Adlam tampered with the ATM so that when a woman tried to withdraw $760, the money did not emerge. After she left, Adlam was able to retrieve the cash.

Karl Trotter, appearing for Adlam, said this type of offending had become more common since a television programme a few weeks ago demonstrated the "modus operandi".

The pair wanted to see if it would work and when the money appeared, "the temptation was too great".

Turoa's lawyer, Matt Dixon, said it was a "ham-fisted" enterprise.

Judge Patrick Mahoney told the pair that if this type of offending were to become prevalent it would undermine the security of a public service used all over New Zealand.

Outside the court, Mr Trotter said he knew of several instances of this type of scam.

"I am aware of at least two other cases since the programme," he said.

- NZPA