Four ATM Explosions in Two Days Across The Netherlands
Two men were arrested after a string of four ATM bombings across North Holland in two days, as police investigate whether all incidents are connected.
Four cash machine explosions in the space of two days have unsettled residents across North Holland, with police investigating whether the incidents are connected. Two suspects have been arrested so far.
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The series began in the early hours of Monday 23 March. Around 03:45, an ATM in Amsterdam-Zuid was targeted. The machine, used for cash deposits, was destroyed by the explosion, and many residents were woken by the blast. A black cord was visible hanging from the machine, likely used to detonate the explosive. Police believe two suspects fled on a scooter. Around two hours later, at 05:10, a second explosion hit a cash machine at Plein 1945 in Laren. Two suspects on a blue scooter fled in the direction of the Eemnesserweg. Both were wearing face coverings. No injuries were reported in either incident.
On Tuesday 24 March, at around 03:45, a further explosion took place at a cash machine on the Marconistraat in Badhoevedorp. Two suspects fled on a scooter. Police immediately launched a search and with support from the Amsterdam unit and a police dog, both men were arrested approximately half an hour later at the Akersingel in Amsterdam. Both remain in custody and their exact roles are under investigation.
Around 04:15, a fourth explosion followed at a Geldmaat cash machine on the Dorpsstraat in Landsmeer, roughly half an hour after the Badhoevedorp incident. Police are investigating whether the two are connected.
What was targeted
In all four cases, the explosions were aimed at the cash deposit section of the Geldmaat machines, the part where customers can deposit cash rather than withdraw it. The deposit units were completely blown out of the buildings in both the Badhoevedorp and Landsmeer incidents.
Why police say the attacks are largely pointless
A police spokesperson said committing ATM bombings on this type of machine is "fairly pointless" because they yield virtually no usable proceeds. "In this case there was no haul. It has an enormous impact on residents. Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night. In this case there was also a fire, so people were also afraid for their apartments," the spokesperson said.
Part of a broader pattern in Amsterdam
The Amsterdam-Zuid explosion on 23 March was the third ATM bombing in Amsterdam this year alone. A previous attack took place on 13 March at a nearby machine, and in mid-January an ATM next to a travel agency was also targeted.
ATM bombings rare in the Netherlands
Such lootings have become increasingly rare in the Netherlands in recent years, primarily because improved security measures have been introduced on cash machines. Since those measures tightened, Dutch perpetrators have largely moved their operations to Germany. The sudden cluster of four attacks in two days is unusual by recent Dutch standards, and police are working to establish whether a single group is responsible for all of them.
Police are still appealing for witnesses or anyone with camera footage from around the Marconistraat in Badhoevedorp on the night of the attack to come forward.
