Ampang Jaya police chief Azam Ismail said the thieves were disappointed to find the machine did not have any gold bars inside as all of them had already been withdrawn, Bernama reported.

These machines, introduced early last year, dispense gold bars of up to five grammes.

Azam said police received a complaint at 9.50am on Nov 23 regarding the theft of the Public Gold ATM machine placed at a shopping complex in Ampang.

A lorry is believed to have been used to remove the ATM.

Azam estimated losses due to the theft of the ATM at RM60,000.

Following investigations, police arrested the three suspects, aged between 17 and 41, around the capital and in Kajang between Nov 26 and yesterday.

One of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

“The suspect had 57 previous convictions for criminal offences,” he said, adding that the man would be remanded for four days starting today. The other two suspects were granted police bail.