Karnataka

Bangalore again!: Gang loots Rs 13.31L being loaded into ATM

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atm machineBANGALORE: The ATM heist saga continued with four armed men barging into an SBM kiosk when cash was being loaded into the unit and fleeing with a suitcase stuffed with Rs 13.31 lakh in Chandra Layout, off Mysore Road, on Wednesday.

Locals chased the quartet, armed with machetes and daggers, who had come on two bikes and caught one of them, later identified as Manjunath. Police sources declined to reveal details about him but said he was a graduate who took to crime to repay family loans.

Based on Manjunath’s statements, another person involved in the heist was arrested. An undisclosed sum of the stolen money was recovered from him. Police launched a hunt for the other two.

The incident happened between 4pm and 4.10pm at the ATM kiosk next to the Chandra Layout branch of the State Bank of Mysore. Bank employee Chandrashekar and two accountants came out carrying a suitcase each. They entered the kiosk and began filling the machine with cash.

The two accountants emptied their suitcase contents and Chandrashekar then stepped into the kiosk. Four men, who had parked their two bikes at a distance, turned up at the kiosk. While three of the men entered the kiosk and attacked Chandrashekar with their weapons, the fourth one stood outside. The men fled with the suitcase in his hand, SBM cashier Pushpavathi said.

When the men left the building, some shopkeepers chased them and caught one of them. Chandrashekar has been admitted to a private hospital with injuries on his right hand and palm.

Eyewitness account

TK Manjunath, who runs Sapthagiri Juice Centre in front of the bank, said around 4.05pm, he heard a loud noise. “Initially, I couldn’t figure out what was going on. We saw men running with daggers and a machete. Some shopkeepers started chasing the men and managed to catch one of them,” Manjunath said.

“All of them had come wearing helmets but by the time we caught him, his helmet fell off. He looked around 30 years old and was of medium build. He was visibly scared when we caught him,” he said.

The branch was five years’ old. The ATM had not guards.

He is a Software Engineer from Moodbidri currently living in Kuwait. He likes to travel and post interesting things about technology. He is the designer of Kannadigaworld.com. You may follow him on FB at fb.com/alanpaladka

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