Backhoe Bandits: A Rise in Unconventional Organized Crime in Newfoundland

Backhoe Bandits: A Rise in Unconventional Organized Crime in Newfoundland
An RBC branch was heavily damaged by a backhoe used in the robbery of an ATM in Holyrood, N.L., on Dec. 16, 2024. Courtesy of the RCMP
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Newfoundland and Labrador has witnessed an increase in an unusual form of organized crime in recent years as so-called backhoe bandits use heavy equipment to commit robberies.

While there were two isolated incidents of backhoe bandits stealing automated teller machines (ATMs) in Southern Ontario late last year, N.L. has seen the lion’s share of this type of crime.