Mohali : At least three unidentified men broke into an unguarded ATM kiosk in Mohali’s industrial area in the wee hours of Wednesday and tried to steal the cash box, but had to flee when a watchman saw them and raised an alarm.
The incident was captured on a CCTV camera. Police sources said the incident took place around 2.30 am in Sector 75 (Industrial Area, Phase 8), at a State Bank of India ATM located near Quark City.
The masked men entered the kiosk, which also had a Bank of India ATM, and started breaking open the SBI machine using an iron rod and other tools, police said, adding that they are suspected to have spent around an hour in the kiosk.
“They damaged the machine, including the display screen, card reader, cash dispenser, keyboard, printer, and various inner components, including the hard disk. One of them accidentally broke the glass door which alerted a guard present in a nearby building. The intruders were trying to remove the cash-box in the machine, when the guard raised an alarm and they ran away. Soon, a police vehicle reached the spot,” said an official.
Officials of the company which maintains the ATM were told about the incident on Wednesday. “Although they are yet to hand us over the CCTV footage, the company officials told us that it showed three men with their faces covered breaking the ATM with some tools,” said the police.
A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the Phase I police station against unknown persons.
Similar Incidents
Dec 11/12, 2014: Masked men entered an HDFC Bank ATM on Handesra Road, Lalru, and tried to cut open the machine, but failed to take away cash.
Nov 26/27, 2014: A State Bank of Patiala ATM in Mandi Kharar caught fire after unknown men, while trying to break the machine, caused a short-circuit. The accused used a cutter to break open the shutter of the kiosk, which was closed for the night.
Nov 18/19, 2014: A PNB ATM in Landran was targeted by thieves, who damaged the machine in a bid to steal money.
June 2014: Thieves damaged an Axis Bank ATM on Morinda Road, Kurali.
