Thieves in Tobago attempted to use a backhoe to steal an automated teller machine (ATM) vault during an early morning break-in on June 24.

Police said the incident happened in the Shelbourne Street area of Plymouth after two masked men allegedly took control of a yellow Caterpillar backhoe and a white Mazda truck from the YMCA and Beach Sports Facility in Courland.

According to investigators, three estate constables were on duty at the facility when they were approached by the suspects, who allegedly demanded the keys to the vehicles.

The men then reportedly drove to Shelbourne Street, where they used the backhoe in an attempt to break into an ATM by crashing into the machine and trying to remove the vault.

However, the attempt was unsuccessful after the arm of the backhoe was damaged, forcing the suspects to abandon the effort.

Police said the men escaped in the Mazda truck, which was later found abandoned at Adventure Trace.

Officers from the Criminal Investigations Department and Task Force Area North are continuing investigations.