Bomb used to blow up ATM

September 29, 2008 - 11:35AM

An ATM and a butcher shop have been destroyed in a bombing at a shopping centre in a northern Melbourne suburb.

Police said it's the first time criminals have used a bomb to blow up an ATM in Melbourne.

The bombing happened just after 2am today at the Edgewater Boulevard shops in Maribynong.

Neighbours heard the explosion, but emergency services were not called until 5.30am, when the owners of Edgeware Meats turned up to work.

Detective Sergeant Rod Stormonch from the arson squad said the ATM was the target, but it was still too early to say if money was taken, and how much.

"At this stage, we're still trying to render the scene safe for our arson chemists to go in," Detective Sergeant Stormonch told reporters at the scene.

He said he was unsure what sort of chemicals were used in the explosion.

"Whoever has done this today has got some knowledge of explosives or how to cause an explosion of this type," he said.

Bomb squad members have spent the morning making the scene safe for investigators.

"From an uneducated point of view, the shop is completely destroyed, the roof has fallen down, but I can't give you an idea of how much damage was caused."

Investigators plan to look at CCTV footage from cameras in the area.

Detective Sergeant Stormonch said it was lucky no one was hurt, with a supermarket next door and night packers working, and the shopping centre located in a residential area.

"This is the first one in Melbourne to my knowledge and the investigation will commence today and will continue until such time as someone is identified and arrested for this incident," he said.

Angel Angeles, who owns a bakery across the road from the butcher, said the bombing was a shock.
"The whole debris came through the area, so we've got big chunks across the road. They've done a really good job, they've spraypainted the cameras and all that in the area, so it's pretty professional," Mr Angeles told reporters.

"To be honest with you, it must be some sort of gas or pressure explosion ... As soon as we rocked up here it was just incredible, the whole focus must have been getting the ATM, which is a bit of a shock, especially around Edgewater."

He said it was a quiet area made up mainly of food businesses and shops.

Police were expected to remain at the scene for the rest of the day.

AAP

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