Bank robbers in Japan are increasingly willing to demolish anything
in their path to get at wads of cash.

A report issued by the National Police Agency Thursday said there had
been a huge increase in the number of thieves using large mechanical
diggers to remove automated teller machines (ATMs) from bank lobbies.

After abandoning the diggers, which are often stolen, criminals
usually transport the ATMs by truck to quiet areas where they can spring
them open and get at the money inside.

The police said there were 57 such incidents in 2002, compared with
only nine the previous year.

Robbers succeeded in getting away with the cash in 26 cases,
resulting in a total loss of 330 million yen (.77 million) last year.

Police are encouraging anyone in possession of heavy construction
machinery to keep it under tight security to help prevent such crimes.