It’s been open season on automated teller machines since January in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region of Oaxaca.

Two ATMS were stolen January 3 from a Banamex branch in Asunción Ixtaltepec. Six weeks later, thieves removed a Banamex ATM from the IMSS hospital in Salina Cruz.

Another ATM theft was foiled March 7 when police received a 911 call advising that someone was trying to remove a machine from the Santander branch in Tehuantepec.

That was followed by an incident June 7 in Juchitán in which thieves successfully spirited away an ATM located outside the office of the Federal Electricity Commission.

There was another failed attempt last Tuesday at the first-class bus terminal in Juchitán. Armed civilians entered the building and held passengers and staff at gunpoint while trying to free a BBVA Bancomer ATM.

After struggling unsuccessfully with their task for a few minutes, the men gave up and fled.

The most recent incident took place early Saturday morning when a cargo truck approached a hospital in Salina Cruz, carrying thieves whose sights were set on a Banorte ATM.

But they were caught unawares while attempting to pry the money machine free. They fled the scene, leaving their truck — and the ATM — behind.

There have been no arrests in any of the cases.

Source: El Universal (sp), Meganoticias (sp)