Kim Martinez reports

MESA -- Two men were arrested early today after allegedly trying to steal an ATM in east Mesa.

It occurred about midnight at the TruWest Credit Union near Superstition Mall.

A Mesa police officer parked at the mall drove to the credit union after hearing several loud bangs. When he got there, he spotted two men, along with a small truck, a trailer and a backhoe.

The men took off running.

One was later caught on the U.S. 60 freeway; and the other was found hiding in a nearby ditch.

Police say the men apparently didn't realize how heavy an ATM encased in concrete is. Officers say after knocking the ATM off its foundation with an apparently stolen backhoe, the men tried to load it in the trailer and the trailer collapsed.

There have been more than 20 ATM thefts and attempted thefts in the Phoenix area this year.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)