Poor thieves, if only they had read the book...

Evidently, a couple of kids tried the old saltwater in coin slot trick, you know the one that makes a soda can dispenser give out a free soda. You know, the trick that hasn't worked in a decade. I'm feeling lazy,

Here's the entry from the book:

Make a Soda Machine Shoot Cans of Soda
As Seen in Episode: 103 - Rush to Judgment. As a juror in a racially charged murder trial, MacGyver can’t resist digging up more facts on his own, thereby courting the wrath of the judge.

What You Need

Half a cup of salt
Two-liter bottle of lukewarm water
A newspaper
An evil soda machine


What You Do

1. Pour salt into water bottle.

2. Shake bottle, mixing the salt and water thoroughly.

3. Roll up the newspaper into a funnel.

4. Use the newspaper funnel to pour the salt-water solution into the coin slot of the evil soda machine.

5. Stand back as the soda cans come rolling out.

6. Enjoy your free, if slightly shaken, sodas.

Why It Works

Inside the soda machine is an electric switch that
controls the release of soda cans. The combination of
salt and water create a mild electric charge. When the
salt and water is poured through the coin slot it washes
over the electric switch controlling the release of the
cans. The salt-water solution creates what chemists
call a salt-bridge of which an electric current passes
readily through, causing the machine to short-circuit
itself. This in effect, trips the electric switch, and as a
result the machine spits out soda cans.
Before getting too excited about a free sugar high,
keep in mind that this trick only works on older soda
machines. Nearly every soda machine in the United
States has been replaced with newer models on which
this trick will not work. But, oh, those Guatemalan
soda machines are just waiting for your electrochemical
shenanigans.