A backhoe hits an ATM during a daring robbery in Waimalu

WAIMALU, Hawaii (KHON2) – Lifting an ATM in front of a restaurant with a backhoe is what Honolulu police say happened Friday, Nov. 3 in Waimalu.

Authorities released video of the incident on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and said the robbery happened around 3:20 a.m.

Security footage shows a suspect ramming a backhoe into the ATM in front of Kabuki Restaurant in Waimalu Mall. It took a couple of tries, but eventually the ATM spilled into the bed of a truck waiting nearby. Customers said it is almost unimaginable.

“I guess it’s something you wouldn’t expect, but I guess it’s becoming more and more common these days,” said Kabuki restaurant customer Dan Chur. “It’s sad to see that it’s becoming more prevalent in Hawaii.”

This isn’t the first time an ATM has been robbed during the holiday season. Police said the thieves used an ax to smash an ATM on Keeaumoku Street before being chained up and loaded onto a truck in November 2021. Rainbow Drive Inn told KHON2 the thieves tried to tow the ATM from its Kapahulu location twice in November 2021.

Hawaii retailers said even though it’s Thanksgiving, some are planning to take.

“Tis the season,” said Retail Merchants of Hawaii President Tina Yamaki. “People want cash or they think it’s an easy way to get free money because there’s cash in the machines.”

Police said both the backhoe and the platform where the ATM was loaded in Waimalu were stolen. The suspects were also dressed head to toe in white suits.

“Probably disposable hazmat suits,” Chur said. So these guys were thinking and planning a little bit ahead of time to disguise not only their identity, but also the vehicles and equipment they were using to get away with it.

Customers told KHON2 they are glad there were no employees at the restaurant at the time of the incident. There doesn’t appear to be much damage to the storefront, but there are still concerns about how brazen the apparent theft was.

“It was kind of hard to believe that someone would be so brazen, especially with the use of a backhoe,” Chur said.

Experts said keeping security cameras at eye level will help deter thieves, and the placement of ATMs is also essential.

“Like outside or right outside the front door through the glass doors, you know, put it like in the back or something where it’s not as easy and accessible,” Yamaki said.

Kabuki Restaurant was closed for Thanksgiving, anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call police.