BALIK PULAU: A man was caught red-handed trying to break a cash deposit machine (CDM) at an AmBank branch along Lintang Bukit Penara here last night.
Southwest district police chief Superintendent Kamarul Rizal Jenal said police were alerted to the incident at about 10pm.
He said, acting on a tip-off, a team of police rushed to the bank and caught the man in action.
"Initial investigations revealed that one of the two CDM machines at the bank were damaged at its money withdrawal slot and barrier door as a result of the man's actions.
"However, the man failed to break the CDM machine before he was taken into custody," he said today.
The incident is believed to have happened at around 9.40pm and only involved one suspect.
Kamarul said the man has been identified as a 39-year-old unemployed from George Town with four previous records involving drug offences.
"Checks showed the man had taken a bus from George Town to the bank in Balik Pulau.
"We believe the motive could have been due to the difficulties he is facing," he added.
Kamarul said checks also led police to believe the man had used a metal rod, likely a car absorber, to attempt to break the CDM machine.
The case is investigated under Sections 380/511 of the Penal Code and Section 427 of the same code.
Police will apply for a remand order against the man at the Magistrate's Court here this morning to assist investigations.