Georgia Man Who Blew up ATM and Swiped Cash Convicted

A Georgia man who used a pipe bomb to blow up an ATM outside of a suburban Atlanta mall is found guilty of five charges, and faces up to 60 years in prison when he’s sentenced in September. 

Prosecutors say Abdurrahim Jalal detonated the pipe bomb at three in the morning on March 29, 2023, at a drive-thru Bank of America ATM, located on the exterior of the North DeKalb mall near Decatur. After the blast, Jalal stole about $88,000 in cash that was inside the machine. 

“Criminals who use dangerous explosives to commit crimes will face federal prosecution to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Theodore S. Hertzberg. 

“The FBI will use every resource available to find anyone who would go to the extreme use of a bomb to illegally obtain money,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown.

After identifying Jalal as a suspect, law enforcement searched his home and found eight additional pipe bombs. Court documents show Jalal had plans to blow up additional ATMs in the area and the day before his arrest, Jalal was spotted buying a blue air hose, work gloves, a pry bar, and face mask, items similar to those used in the ATM bombing. 

"The use of explosives in criminal activities poses an immense threat to public safety, and we will continue to work diligently to ensure that those who engage in such acts are brought to justice," said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

 Jalal was convicted of five counts by a federal judge in a bench trial: bank theft, use of an explosive to commit a felony, arson, and two counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device. 

This case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, and local law enforcement.