Police have commenced an investigation into the attempted theft of a free standing ATM after a ram-raid at Figtree overnight.

 About 3.30am today, police have been told that a Holden Commodore sedan reversed through the doors of a take away store on the Princes Highway.

 Two other people who had earlier got out of the vehicle tied a rope from the Holden around the freestanding ATM.

 The car was then driven away – damaging the ATM, but no money was taken from the machine.

 Police located the burnt out remains of the Holden a short distance away in Gibsons Road.

 The three occupants of the car had fled.

 Investigators have released descriptions of the two people who alighted from the vehicle.

 They are both tall with a slight build and wearing dark clothing with hoodies.

 Police from Wollongong Local Area Command continue with their investigation into the incident and will review CCTV footage.