A highly organised gang of thieves stole thousands of pounds in an ATM heist at an Aberdeenshire supermarket.
It is believed they used a stolen Land Rover Defender to haul the machines through the frontage of the Morrisons store in Banchory before fleeing with the cash.
The remains of the ATMs were left strewn outside the supermarket, along with broken window frames and glass.
The thieves got away with at least £10,000.
Police said they could not rule out the possibility that an organised crime gang was behind the raid – which happened just a month after two bank machines were targeted in Angus.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Mackay said: “Inquiries are at an early stage.
“It’s hard to say if this is the work of an organised gang.
“The fact that this premises has been targeted and a vehicle was used means there’s a level of organisation for sure, but we are keeping an open mind.
“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they may have travelled to the area.”
The detective said he believed a blue Land Rover Defender – registration number R451UMS – which was stolen from the Dinnet area on Tuesday night, may have been used.
He added: “I believe this vehicle may be linked to this crime.
“Some force would have been used to remove the ATM from the building.
“I would appeal to anyone which has seen a blue Land Rover Defender travelling in convoy or parked up anywhere locally or rurally before or after this crime occurred.
“We are continuing to look through the evidence, which includes CCTV, and are urging residents, or those who were in the local area, who may have information about unusual activity at 2am or 3am – perhaps about vehicles travelling in convoy – to come forward.”
Officers sealed off the entrance to the supermarket car park while forensic teams examined the scene.
A group of employees – some of whom had turned up for work at 6am – huddled outside, chatting to curious shoppers.
The two ATMs lay on their side at the entrance to the store, while four windows panes had been badly damaged.
The glass from two was missing, while the other two were shattered, with their frames bent out of shape.
Last year, a string of cash machines were targeted in New Deer, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, Ellon, Stonehaven and Aberdeen over a two-month period.
DCI Mackay said the thieves involved in the latest raid appeared to have used a “slightly different method”.
He added: “There has, historically, been a number of ATM thefts throughout the region.
“Individuals have been apprehended and put to court.
“This has a slightly different method to it.”