AMPANG, Dec 9 — It was a rude awakening for three men who attempted to break into an automated teller machine (ATM) here when police turned up at the bank.

The three masked men had entered a Bank Simpanan Nasional outlet in Jalan Wawasan, Bandar Baru Ampang at 3am yesterday and were using an oxy-fuel blowtorch to break open the ATM.

They did not realise they were being watched by a staff member who was monitoring the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from an operation room.

Ampang Jaya police chief ACP Amiruddin Jamaluddin said a police patrol unit went to the scene soon after receiving an alert from the staff member.

“The suspects were trying to break open the ATM when we arrived. Two of the suspects ran off with the oxy-fuel blowtorch but the third suspect was arrested after a scuffle.”

The arrested suspect, aged 38, has a record for a drug-related offence.

A police forensic team was also sent to the scene to retrieve fingerprints.

Amiruddin said the two suspects escaped in a car and police were trying to track them down.

“No money was reported missing,” he said.

Police are investigating if this was the work of the infamous oxy-gang.

“We will work with the Selangor CID team on this,” said Amiruddin.