CHENNAI: Burglars broke into a branch of
Indian Overseas Bank in
Virugambakkam here and stole Rs 30 lakh in cash and gold jewellery. The burglary came to light when the bank employees reached there on Monday morning.
Security guard Shabi Lal, who was on duty on Sunday night, was missing, police said. Shabi Lal hailed from Nepal, police said
On being informed by the bank manager, a police team led by T Nagar deputy commissioner of police
Aravindan and
Vadapalani assistant commissioner of police Sankar visited the branch. A team of fingerprint experts were also pressed into service.
Preliminary inquiries revealed that burglars had gained entry into the bank by removing the iron grill of the window by using a gas cutting machine. They also broke open the lockers with the gas cutting machine.
Bank officials said the burglars had managed to break open only two lockers. The value of the stolen gold jewellery was yet to be ascertained.
Police collected footages from CCTV cameras in the bank and were checking them.
Police found the gas cutting machine inside the bank. They recovered a ladder, which the burglars used, from outside the building.
Many customers who have their valuables in the bank lockers gathered outside building. Police were trying to pacify them. The bank operation was temporarily halted citing police investigation.
Police is inquiring if there is any link between the missing security guard and the burglars.
