Grinders Used in 'Brazen but Futile' Attempt to Steal From ACT Parking Machine in Belconnen

Australian Capital Territory Police released footage on August 17 after three people were seen using grinders in an attempt to break into a parking payment machine at a Belconnen shopping center. The incident took place at around 2.40 am on August 2 and involved three people using “petrol-powered grinders and a crow bar in an attempt to access the cash box on two parking payment machines” on level two of the parking lot at Westfield Belconnen, police said. Police said they believe the suspects were disturbed by officers responding to a call from shopping centre security at 2.45 am. The attempt was “brazen, but also largely futile,” police said, as the cash boxes are emptied regularly and many people pay for parking using cards, so the machines don’t typically contain much cash. Police asked anyone with information to come forward. Credit: ACT Policing via Storyful