Ironically, it is to steal the fiat that has been deposited in the machine.

I don't think they understand how bitcoins work. Literally not worth it to steal a Bitcoin ATM. they prob think they can get the funds out somehow

My guess is this was stupidity.

I bet they thought there were actual physical bitcoins that could be taken out of the machine.
They heard about the price increase of bitcoin and said:
"yo bro, lets go to the store that has dat bitcorn atm and take da shiz, crack it open, and be rollin in da bitcorns".

Why some people steal Fiat ATMs? Out of complete idiocy. They can't get nothing from a Fiat ATM and I am sure that in the same way they can't get nothing from Bitcoin ATM as well. Bitcoin ATMs are as well protected as Fiat ATMs.

Physical cash and the material (scrap metal) are most likely the target of the steals.

I often wondered why Bitcoin ATMs are often tabletop sized which makes them easy to steal. Fiat ATMs are so big it needs a bulldozer to steal one. If a man can lift an ATM by himself then it's not big or heavy enough to be secure even if it's bolted down. It's easier to remove a few bolts than get hold of a bulldozer.

The first two are tabletop ATMs that look relatively easily movable. It wouldn't be too difficult to maneuver them into a getaway car. Opportunistic thieves would be tempted to steal machines that small.

   

The last Bitcoin ATM is the same size as most fiat ATMs and looks like it would need about four men, a crane, and a lorry to steal.

people are poor, now.
logic. 

Don't worry, the perpetrators WILL be caught. How, you ask? That's a stupid question! Via the low price point built-in GPS thingie that the security-conscience developers incorporated into the lightweight BTM that's frequently place near the entrance/egress of establishments where they're installed. Duhh!


"Welcome to Burger Shack. Just water? Let me get that for you, and next time please don't park so close to the entrance. This thing? That's a BTM. It takes your dollars and gives you bitcoins, emptied every Tuesday, like it will be tomorrow. I'll be right back with your water, sir."

+1

its like asking why people would put card skimmers into machines for a maximum of $500 a day (give it 2 days and the account is frozen) for a maximum of a few customers .

its like asking why do people walk the streets for 12hours a day pickpocketing people for maybe $50 per wallet.

its like asking... why do people spend 12 hours a day raiding faucets to earn maybe $2 a day in bitcoin dust..

the answer is as explained by Meuh6879