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A hapless thief tried to break into a cash machine by pouring acid over it and waiting for it to melt.

The dimwitted crook was spotted on CCTV pouring chemicals onto an ATM in Boulder, Colorado, in the hope the liquid would burn a hole in the machine and leave the cash inside up for grabs.

Security cameras even showed how the man put on a special mask and safety gloves to stop himself from being being burnt or hurt by fumes.

After pouring over the liquid, the unknown man walked off and waited for his cunning plan to come to fruition - only to be left downbeat when nothing happened.

He soon left but his acidic plot left one student of a nearby university with small burns after he went to get cash out the following morning.

Police said the machine, which costs £30,000 to replace, was damaged beyond repair during the theft attempt on May 29.