Bungling thief leaves empty handed after being caught on CCTV smashing ATM with a digger

This is the moment a hapless thief was left empty handed after smashing into an ATM with a digger.

The bungling would-be looter manoeuvres the claw of the vehicle to pry off the front of the Bank of America cash machine in George's County, Maryland.

But the attempted robber was left frustrated after the machine proved too difficult to crack.

The raid reportedly caused $10,000 of damage, and police are now appealing for help to catch the culprit.

“The video is pretty shocking,” said Lt. Dave Coleman of Prince George’s County police, as quoted by the Washington Post.

“If he’s willing to go to these great lengths, it’s important to get him off the street as quickly as we can.”

The thief is thought to have been behind another cash machine raid in the area last year.

“He stole an ATM the first time and now he’s upgraded to a backhoe,” said Lt. Coleman.

“We have a progression. Please help us get him off the street before he upgrades to a helicopter.”