Scooter-riding ram-raider on run after blowing up Tea Tree Plaza ATM

UPDATE: Traders are furious after one of Adelaide’s busiest shopping centres was forced to close on Sunday, when an ATM was ram-raided and blown up in a failed robbery.

Westfield Tea Tree Plaza will remain closed while police investigate a ram raid.

ONE of Adelaide’s busiest shopping centres has reopened after an ATM was ram-raided and blown up overnight in a failed robbery.

Dozens of shoppers were left frustrated after turning up to Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, at Modbury, this morning to find it was shut.

The centre remained closed for several hours while Holden Hill detectives investigated. But there was still access to the cinemas and Cafe Primo.

Authorities were called to the centre just after 3am amid reports the motorcyclist had rammed his scooter into the shopping mall’s ground floor entrance.

CCTV images of the person police want to speak to about the explosion and attempted robbery.

Police say the motorist, dress in all-black, tried to force open the ATM, located on North East Rd, with a crowbar before pouring “a substance into (it) causing a small explosion”.

The suspect, who was wearing all black, fled empty-handed on his scooter, which has been reportedly found dumped in a creek at the nearby Paradise O-Bahn bus interchange.

One business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, said traders were “furious” at the handling of the situation.

He said customers and businesses were kept in the dark about when or if the centre would open, leading to a huge downturn in trade.

“This (centre) has probably lost millions of dollars in trade,” he said. “This is the worst Sunday trade in the history of this place. Someone has to be held responsible.”

Another trader, who also wished to remain anonymous, said business was down by 70 per cent for the day.

“It’s been atrocious for the traders,” she said. “It would have been nice of them to make a decision earlier in the day.”

Business SA chief executive Nigel McBride said it was a disappointing day for traders.

“(The culprit) may not have robbed the ATM but he robbed small businesses of the opportunity to trade, workers to work and shoppers to shop,” he said.

Police urged anyone with information on the crime, or suspect, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.