Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru (SP)

Tumakuru, Jan 25: Four masked men who arrived at the ATM of Karnataka Bank Ltd near Gubbi Gate in the city in the wee hours on Tuesday January 24 tied up the security guard and took away about Rs 20 lac found inside the machine. Strangely, they opened the cash vault of the ATM by using a duplicate key to access the booty. The duplicate key was found inside the ATM centre by the police later.

In a complaint filed in the town police station at around 4 am, security guard of the ATM, identified as Ganganna, stated that the masked robbers threatened him and tied his hands and legs before proceeding with the robbery. As they had a duplicate key with them, the robbers did not have to use any equipment to break the ATM open.

Out of the four men, two entered the ATM centre at about 3 am, threatened Ganganna, tied him up, opened the cash vault with the help of duplicate key, took out the box containing money and robbed it. Rs 11.16 lac in the denomination of Rs 2000 notes, Rs 7.70 lac comprising Rs 500 notes, and Rs 82,000 in hundred rupee notes were robbed, it is learnt.

On receipt of complaint, town station police sub-inspector,Umashankar and staff rushed to the spot and conducted inquest. District superintendent of police, Isha Pant, additional superintendent of police, G B Manjunath, deputy superintendent of police, Chidananda Swamy, town police circle inspector, Gangalingaiah, Tilak Park station circle inspector, Raghavendra, and others also visited the spot and assisted in investigation. Sniffer dogs and a team of finger print experts also went there later.

It is said that CCTV footage captured by the cameras installed inside and outside the ATMs have given enough clues. SP, Isha Pant, exuded confidence of nabbing the culprits soon. The police have prima facie realized that this was a pre-planned robbery. In a swift action, the police have arrested security guards, Raveesh and Ganganna, apart from Mahesh and Ashwath, who had replenished cash to this machine on behalf of the agency, for questioning. Based on clues, they are now searching for a person who is believed to have masterminded the entire operation.

It is said that the robbers reached inside the ATM centre, duly masking their faces, and severed the CCTV camera wire before proceeding with their robbery plan. As such, the footage does not contain developments after they came in, it is gathered.