DETROIT (WWJ) - Despite being sashed by a stolen backhoe early Friday morning, officials said thieves who allegedly tried to break into a Detroit ATM were thwarted when their plan appeared to backfire.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported live from the scene on Detroit's east side where authorities were collecting evidence -- and chuckling at the botched attempt.
"I was just talking to some of the Detroit police," Langton said. "They've been on the job for many, many years and they were just looking at what happened here on Joy Road in the I-96 and Southfield area and they were just laughing at this botched smash-and-grab."
Police told Langton the incident unfolded around 4 a.m. when alleged criminal stole a backhoe from a construction site across the street and drove it back over Joy Road, through a parking lot and up to a free standing ATM.
"Then they use the backhoe somehow -- they know how to, I guess they know how to drive backhoes now -- and they smashed the building that the ATM was in," Langton added.
Langton said the building is badly damaged and the thieves managed to get the ATM in the bucket, but it appears as the machine was turning around that the AMT fell out and crashed on the ground.
And the thieves didn't stick around to salvage the situation.
"Criminals are going to get an A for effort in this botched smash-and-grab...they got nothing in this thing," Langton reported.
Langton said there is plenty of damage left behind for investigators to sift through as they continue to process the scene for evidence.
According to Langton, even the police are scratching their heads over the incident.
"I heard a veteran Detroit police officer say, 'I thought I had seen everything until this.'"
There's so far no word on if a suspect or any suspects are being sought or have been identified. No other details were made available as an investigation is underway.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.