In a daring late-night raid that left residents in disbelief, a gang of thieves used a stolen yellow JCB telehandler to smash into a Sainsbury’s Local in Brooklands Square, Milton Keynes, and rip an ATM from the wall before fleeing in a white pickup truck. The audacious heist, which unfolded just after midnight on Sunday, October 26, has since gone viral on social media.
Key Highlights:
– Thieves used a stolen JCB telehandler to rip an ATM from a Sainsbury’s store in Milton Keynes.
– The incident, caught on video, sparked outrage and fear online.
– Police are investigating with no arrests yet made.
– Experts warn of a growing wave of “digger bandit” ATM thefts across the UK.
The shocking CCTV footage shows the construction digger ramming through the glass storefront before carefully hoisting the heavy cash machine onto a waiting van. The criminals worked with chilling precision, tearing through the shop’s facade as debris and sparks flew. Moments later, the truck sped off into the night, leaving behind a trail of destruction and disbelief.
In the background of one viral clip, a startled witness can be heard shouting, “They’re stealing cash machines! They brought a JCB onto Brooklands Square!” The footage has since spread rapidly across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, igniting widespread anger over what many describe as the “Hollywood-style” boldness of Britain’s modern-day thieves.
When daylight broke, the aftermath resembled a demolition site. The Sainsbury’s doors were smashed, metal frames twisted, and glass littered across the pavement. The store, located near the M1 motorway, was quickly boarded up as Thames Valley Police sealed the area for investigation.
Police confirmed the attack in an official statement: “At approximately 0050hrs this morning, a digger was used to force entry into the shop, causing significant damage in order to steal the ATM. There is currently a scene watch in place and increased police presence in the area.”
Authorities are appealing for witnesses and urging anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage, or relevant information to come forward using reference number 43250546164.
The Rise of ‘Digger Bandits’ Across the UK
The Milton Keynes attack mirrors a growing pattern of ATM thefts involving stolen construction machinery. In recent months, telehandler-driven burglaries have surged nationwide, targeting cash machines often holding tens of thousands of pounds. Just weeks earlier, a failed attempt at a Nationwide branch in nearby Olney involved a green digger.
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Experts say these machines are easy to steal and difficult to trace quickly, turning what once seemed impossible heists into recurring crimes. Law enforcement agencies now face mounting pressure to tighten security around construction sites and retail outlets.
Residents of Brooklands Square expressed disbelief at the incident. “I was heading for a morning coffee when I saw the mess,” one user posted on X. “The ATM’s gone. They used a JCB! It’s like something out of a movie.”
Calls for stronger sentencing and improved police surveillance are growing as social media fills with frustration over Britain’s escalating wave of retail crime.
Sainsbury’s has not yet commented on the financial impact or timeline for reopening, but the event underscores the vulnerabilities facing convenience stores nationwide. As police hunt the culprits, one fact remains clear: Britain’s “digger bandits” are growing bolder, and the public’s patience is running thin.
