ALOR SETAR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A group of masked men set off a homemade pipe bomb at an automated teller machine at a bank near Simpang Kuala here and got away with more than RM300,000 (S$101,560).

The impact of the blast shattered the glass panel and door of the booth to the ATM.

The door of the cash box, located below the screen, was also blown several metres away.

Kota Setar Deputy OCPD Supt Rohana Omar said the police received a call from the public about the 3.30am incident on Friday (Feb 6).

"The bank's CCTV footage shows a group of masked men vandalising one of the ATM booths and leaving with the money.

"About RM33,000 in RM50 notes were also found scattered on the floor of the ATM booth.

"It is believed that one of the cash boxes was damaged and the notes fell out," she said.

Supt Rohana also said a homemade explosive, believed to be a pipe bomb, was used in the incident.

An ATM technician, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was on duty when he received a call about the blast.

The 27-year-old rushed to the scene and saw the police already at the scene.

"The robbers took a total of seven cash boxes. Each ATM can store about RM300,000 to RM400,000," he said.

The technician added that the bank's alarm system was believed to have triggered at about 3.15am following the blast.

"There are six CCTVs where the ATMs are located," he explained.

This is the third time the bank's ATMs were vandalised.

The two other incidents occurred in 2012 and last year when Molotov cocktails were used to set fire to the ATMs.