They can't get Bitcoin at an ATM but the real cash is inside that machine.
So why would they be disappointed if they already get some cash?

Bitcoin ATM works: before you buy Bitcoin you need cash to deposit so it should have some cash unless all transactions made on that machine are via Debit/credit card.

Might they think that there was a lot of cash inside since it was an ATM, but they thought that it was like a traditional ATM like in the bank.
Poor bandit didn't even think that the transaction of the ATM machines is all digitally linked to their wallet or their bank, not unless for those who are using paper bills on purchasing Bitcoin.

This is the point of stealing and breaking the machine, get some cash, not the Bitcoin.

According to the sign, this machine also accepts cash. I think the thieves just wanted the cash in it, but it seems out of luck this hasn't even been used by anyone.
Btw, this is the worst-designed ATM machine considering the thin metal cover and small size that can be carried by only one person.

Now you mention it, this ATM seems to have been designed to be placed on a surface instead be fastened to a wall or something similar.
I could be wrong, but it seems like it, and if it was the case, it could explain why the thief tried his/her luck on breaking a Bitcoin ATM instead a more traditional target, since those are more sturdy and fixed to a wall. 

"Not your keys, not your coins" or "It's your keys, it's your coins".
Bitcoin ATM does not store any key inside and people can not steal bitcoins at Bitcoin ATMs. It is very logic.

If at home, you store your keys in vault and by whatever reason, someone can steal your vault, bring it away, break it to get keys you store in that vault, you will lose your coins.

Some people complicate their backups by splitting it into half, one in vault, one in book or storing two halfs of their backups at two different locations. If one half of backup is compromised, they will still not lose their coins. Obviously that they must have access to that one half of backup somewhere else. If they don't have that access too, they will lose their coins as well.

You title gives another impression. At first I thought you were referring to Bitcoin held an individual not knowing that you were referring to Bitcoin ATM. I have never used Bitcoin ATM Before and don't really know how it works I don't know if you pay with cash or you lay with your credit or your debit card but if it's cash then the robbers will probably just go for that one if they fail to get any Bitcoin. And btw where they expecting to get real coins from the machine? Or they thought the machine had some coins in it they same way cash ATM has cash loaded into it and if they break it they might find some inside. It's a pity though.

It's good to see old criminals still doesn't know how Bitcoin's work, but I think nowadays people already know about it since Bitcoin already get regulated in few countries.

Bitcoin can be robbed if the criminals use $5 wrench attack into someone house, the criminals can force and intimidate them to give all of the coins they have. This is nothing new anymore, that's why privacy is really important for Bitcoin holders.

That's right mate, we can't say that bitcoin cannot be robbed; all we can say is that it cannot be physically robbed. However, bitcoin can be robbed in many other ways, and it will be simple for them if they have access to some of your wallets' private keys. All we can do is try to avoid people who have bad mind and want to live well off of the wealth of others while also keeping our secrets to ourselves.

Never gets old:




It's a BATM that does accept banknotes.
Besides, if the thieves had enough time they could have simply cashed out a lot of Bitcoin in multiple transactions once the BTAM was broken.

Insert $1000, buy coins, grab the money through the hole, feed the BATM again, and buy another 1k worth of BTC or even more, you didn't even need the BATM to have any cash in it, you could use your own as you would get it back immediately.