CLAIREMONT: An early-morning heist at a check-cashing store on Balboa Avenue didn't quite turn out as planned.

San Diego police went to the Cash Plus store near Genesee Avenue in Clairemont about 5:15 a.m. after a report of glass breaking.

When officers arrived, they found an automated teller machine lying in the parking lot, police said.

Witnesses said they saw a white Chevy S-10 pickup with chains attached being driven away. It appeared that the ATM had been put in the bed of the truck, but fell out when the driver turned a corner. –D.F.B.