Thieves try to blow up ATM at Adelaide Zoo
THE Adelaide Zoo has reopened after thieves tried to blow open an ATM in an attempted robbery on Friday.
SA News
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THE Adelaide Zoo has reopened after thieves tried to blow open an ATM in an attempted robbery on Friday.
Criminals who tried to blow open an ATM outside the Adelaide Zoo denied hundreds of children and families the chance to visit one of the city’s major attractions.
The would-be thieves used a red liquid explosive to blow off the front of the Westpac ATM at the zoo’s Plane Tree Drive entrance about 3.30am on Friday.
Police officers later ignited part of the ATM structure which was contaminated with the red liquid explosive.
The explosion failed to open the cash box and the offenders fled empty-handed.
Their handiwork forced the zoo to close for the day, cutting off critical income and upsetting scores of young children booked to tour its exhibits.
Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said management contacted several school groups that had booked to attend the zoo.
“It’s a surprise we rather not have,” she said.
“We had about 400 students sleeping overnight in another area but they didn’t hear a thing.”
The school groups and about 100 people attending a conference were evacuated later in the morning.
Ms Bensted said they would discuss with Westpac about replacing the ATM at the retail shop or moving it into the zoo where there was stronger security.
The retail shop would remain close for the weekend.
Emma, who did not give her surname, wanted to take her son, Mitchell, to the zoo for his fourth birthday but that was prevented.
However, zoo management later had keepers bring some “furry animals’’ out a back gate for Mitchell and the other children in his play group to see and touch.
“It’s a child care excursion to the zoo and we thought it would be perfect so it’s a bit disappointing to hear some reckless people have traumatised something that we all take for granted to come and use these facilities,’’ Emma said.
“(To see) the children’s faces, the lips dropped it was very disappointing ... their faces certainly weren’t happy when they heard the news.’’
Sergeant Phil Clague said the suspect red liquid found on the ATM was a chemical usually used to harden plastics and this was the first time the “volatile” liquid had been used as an explosive.
“As you’d expect ATMs are basically a safe with a computer on the front so they are able to withstand a significant attempt to gain entry to them,” he said.
“I’ve been told this is the first time this kind of explosive substance has been used in Australia so it’s a unique event for South Australia.
“Any explosive is dangerous and we have to take all precautions possible.”
Several school groups spent the night inside the zoo about 1km from the ATM and none heard the blast, Sgt Clague said.
He described the zoo’s attackers as “reckless, dangerous and desperate’’.
“(Bomb squad technicians) are securing the site, they are actually inside the (visitor) shop ascertaining whether (or not) they are any further explosives or chemicals or material in there,’’ he said.
“We don’t know for sure what the explosive is and it’s all precautionary ... in case there is a fire or an explosion.’’
Workers later removed the ATM which is expected to be replaced.
Crime scene investigators and the Explosives Co-ordination Section inspected the ATM and extended an exclusion zone for more than 30m.
That increased at least fourfold throughout the morning after police bomb squad specialists found a “red substance” commonly used to harden plastics on the ATM.
Police and Metropolitan Fire Services poured more resources in to the area and closed off the park from Hackney Rd to Frome Rd by 11am.
Sgt Clague said instructions for making explosives were “readily available” on the internet.
State Emergency Service volunteers searched a wide area around the visitor centre looking for clues and CCTV footage of Plane Tree Drive was being checked.
Ms Bensted said they have yet to estimate how much they have lost on Friday.
“We’re a charity conservation organisation that opens 365 days of the year so to have to close because of actions like this is very disappointing,’’ she said.
“It’s certainly damaging for us to close at any time. We are a non-government service so most of our revenue comes from our visitors.
“It’s certainly damaging financially not to be open to the public.’’
She said it was disappointing for interstate visitors who may only have one day to visit the pandas but had to miss out.
Adult entry price is $33.50 and $18.50 for children aged 4-14.
Anyone who saw suspicious activity or vehicles at Plane Tree Drive about 3.30am on Friday should contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online.
Police crime scene officers inspecting ATM @ Adel zoo damaged by explosion. Would-be thieves left with nothing. pic.twitter.com/fn7EqbjSyr
— Doug Robertson (@dougrobbo3) May 26, 2016
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