Alert search underway

Pöllauberg: ATM blown up and stolen

A picture of the devastation at the municipal office in Pöllauberg.

(Bild: Gerald Klein)

Shortly before 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning, unknown persons blew up the ATM in Pöllauberg. Residents immediately alerted the police, but the perpetrators fled. Nobody was injured, but there was considerable damage to property, reports the mayor of the municipality.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a loud bang was heard in the center of Pöllauberg. Residents were startled out of their sleep and saw a trail of devastation on the street. The ATM at the municipal office had been blown up by unknown perpetrators. They stole an unknown amount of cash.

The surrounding windows were destroyed in the explosion.

(Bild: Gerald Klein)

Windows shattered
"The display windows of the department store opposite were shattered by the powerful detonation," reported Mayor Gerald Klein (ÖVP), who rushed to the scene himself. There was considerable damage to the surrounding buildings; the police speak of a "massive use of explosives". There was even a heavily pregnant woman living in one of the houses who had to be taken to hospital for a check-up.

The residents heard a loud bang. The ATM was blown up and the strong detonation broke the display windows of the department store.

Bürgermeister Gerald Klein (ÖVP)

Bild: Gemeinde Pöllauberg

A manhunt is underway
The perpetrators have been on the run ever since and a manhunt has been launched. They are described as two dark-clad and fully masked persons who fled in a small dark car. Police helicopters, drones and detectives are now in action. The theft unit of the Styrian State Criminal Police Office took over the investigation in the early hours of the morning and conducted initial interviews. Evidence is also being secured by crime scene officers and video surveillance is already being evaluated.