As Caribbean nations grapple with a series of increasingly brazen robberies, including several high-profile incidents in Antigua and Barbuda, Tobago has now been added to the growing list after thieves used a stolen backhoe in a dramatic attempt to rip an ATM from a building.

The audacious early-morning heist unfolded in Plymouth on Wednesday and has drawn comparisons to scenes from a Hollywood crime thriller.

According to regional reports, three estate constables were on duty at the YMCA and Beach Sports Facility in Courland when they were confronted by two masked men who demanded the keys to a yellow Caterpillar backhoe and a white Mazda truck.

Investigators said the suspects then drove the stolen vehicles to Supreme Plaza on Shelbourne Street, where a First Citizens Bank (FCB) ATM was housed.

Using the backhoe, the men allegedly smashed into the structure and attempted to pull out the machine’s vault. CCTV footage reportedly captured the operation, which lasted only a matter of minutes but left significant damage to the building.

However, the thieves’ plans were thwarted when the arm of the backhoe sustained damage during the operation, preventing them from gaining access to the cash inside.

The suspects abandoned the heavy equipment at the scene and fled in the stolen truck, leaving behind a damaged building and an ATM that, despite their efforts, remained intact.

Police later recovered the truck at Adventure Trace, but the suspects had already escaped. Authorities confirmed that the men fled empty-handed.

The incident comes amid growing concern over the boldness of criminal activity being reported across the region. In recent months, Antigua and Barbuda has recorded a number of brazen robberies, home invasions and thefts that have sparked public debate about crime and security, while other Caribbean territories have reported similarly daring offences.

For many observers, the failed ATM raid raises a troubling question: just how far are criminals willing to go as robberies across the region become increasingly bold and sophisticated?

Editor’s Note: The video accompanying this report was sourced from Tobago Updates. Ownership and copyright of the footage remain with the original creator. Antigua.news does not claim ownership of the video.