Criminals have a new way to relieve people of their cash and all it involves is a steel bar.

It’s called “cash trapping” and it has found its way to Newfoundland and Labrador.

RNC say customers trying to access cash from a drive-thru terminal at a bank on Old Placentia Road in Mount Pearl believed that the machine was out of operation as their cash did not appear. The interruption began Friday and lasted until about 4:00 p.m. Monday afternoon when officers were called in.

RNC say a steel bar had been placed over the ATM dispensary slot, preventing money from being accessed.

RNC Cst. James Cadigan says their Economic Crime Unit was aware that the tactic was being used on the mainland, but this is the first time that they have seen it in their jurisdiction.

The perpetrator waits for the customer to leave, then removes the steel bar and takes the cash.

Police do not know how much money they got away with over the 72-hour period.

They’re asking people who encounter suspicious activity to contact the ATM operator immediately.