Unidentified miscreants cut open five State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs in Odisha’s Berhampur within a few hours on Monday night and escaped with ₹16,85,000 in cash.
These ATMs are located in four police station areas of Berhampur district. According to Berhampur Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra, preliminary investigation suggests that a gang of inter-State criminals was involved in this series of ATM thefts on a single night. “A special police team has been formed to investigate and track down the culprits behind the ATM thefts,” the SP said.
The looters targeted SBI ATMs that did not have any security guards. Their modus operandi was the same at all the places.
Late at night, they got into the unguarded ATM counters and pulled down the shutters to avoid getting noticed by any passer-by. They used gas cutters to cut open the ATM machines.
CCTV camera damaged
But the miscreants failed to loot the sixth SBI ATM at Saradhabali under the Gopalpur police station limits. Spotting a police patrol vehicle, they escaped from the spot.
But by that time, they had damaged the CCTV camera and were attempting to break open the ATM.
The miscreants managed to break open the SBI ATM at Haladiapadar under the Golanthara police station limits with a gas cutter.
Using the same method, they were able to cut open sealed chambers of SBI ATMs at Khodasingi, Ankuli and Lanjipalli under the Baidyanathpur police station limits and another ATM in the Gosaninuagaon police station area.