Mosgiel police put a stop to his efforts after being alerted by alarms at the Mosgiel branch of the ANZ, on Gordon Rd.
Detective Sergeant Neil Lowden, of Mosgiel, said police arrived about 1.50am to find the man in the bank with tools to cut open the ATM.
He had removed roofing panels before entering the bank, Det Sgt Lowden said. He had tried to cut into the rear of the street-facing ATM. He had not taken any money.
The man has also been charged with the burglary of the Mosgiel New World Supermarket, on Hartstonge Ave, in April.
Det Sgt Lowden said the man was found in the foyer of the supermarket about 9.30pm on April 10.
He had attempted to cut and jemmy open an ATM in the foyer after gaining access to the supermarket by jemmying a door.
The man will appear in the Dunedin District Court on June 16 charged with two counts of burglary.
