Finextra: Australian ATM explosion gang strike again

Australian police are appealing for information after a gang of thieves blew up a St George ATM and escaped with an undisclosed sum of money in the early hours in Sydney.

Witnesses have told police four men fled the scene in two cars, a silver/grey Audi and a black BMW station wagon.

The crime is the latest in a spate of explosive attacks on cash machines in Australia.

In November thieves blew up four St George Bank cash machines with acetylene gas in Sydney, successfully stealing money from one. Police say they are investigating reports of seven successful attacks dating back to July this year.

In December, police arrested a couple in connection with the explosion of a Bank of Queensland cash machine in the city of Brisbane.

The crimewave has prompted the formation of a special police task force and rewards of up to $150,000 for information leading to convictions.