Thieves have forced the closure of Helensburgh’s only bank, with a brazen pre-dawn ram raid leaving the branch in ruins.  Residents of Parkes Street were startled from their sleep about 2.20am Wednesday, as a Nissan Patrol smashed inside the Illawarra Credit Union. The car took out the shop front and connected with the street-facing ATM, pushing it over.  Neighbours have told police they saw two men get out of the car, with at least one entering the branch. The bank’s deputy CEO, Anthony Perkiss, said the men caused extensive damage, but walked away without a cent.  “They’ve driven directly into the front of the building and they’ve attempted to removed [the ATM], but were unsuccessful,” he said.  “After that I think they were startled by residents nearby and they got away in the motor vehicle.  “No funds were removed. They didn’t actually get away with any money.”  The ATM supply company was at the branch early Wednesday to remove the machine. A replacement is expected to be installed on Thursday.  “The branch will be more than likely operational by Friday,” Mr Perkiss said.  A worker from the company told the Mercury attacks on ATMs became more common in the lead-up to the festive season. “It wouldn’t be Christmas without a ram raid,” he said.  The car involved in the raid has since been reported stolen. It was found destroyed a short distance from the bank, where Parkes Street meets bushland.  “The vehicle was found on fire, a short distance away,” Wollongong police duty officer Acting Inspector Jacqui Davidson said. “It had been stolen some time the previous night.”  Numerous people were turned away from the bank on Wednesday as the clean-up got underway.  Resident Jodie Morris said the would-be thieves had left some in the suburb without any way of banking.  “Some people don’t have cars so it will be hard – they’ll have to travel,” she said.  Wollongong Local Area Command is investigating the events of the night. Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 to assist police.
