From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 21: In what can only be described as a very bold heist, an amount of Rs 32 lakhs that was present at the SBI ATM at Rongram in West Garo Hills (WGH) has apparently been stolen by what appears to be a well-planned move.
Locals, on Thursday, reported to the Rongram police after fire was seen coming out of the ATM Kiosk. The Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) team posted nearby rushed to the spot and doused the fire before keener eyes noticed discrepancies in the manner in which the fire broke out and the machine appeared.
Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the ATM Kiosk was cut through and whatever cash was being held was stolen from it by what appeared to be a group of professionals. The incident, as per initial reports, took place Thursday morning before the fire was doused by the F&ES team.
What indicates sophistication is the fact that nearby CCTV cameras, including the one near the petrol pump adjacent to the Kiosk were blackened by the suspected thieves. “They appear to have known the locations of the nearby CCTVs and the ATM theft attempt was only made after a serious recce was done. An investigation has been lodged into the incident after the SBI team lodged a FIR in Tura this afternoon claiming that Rs 32 lakhs has gone missing. We are hopeful of a breakthrough soon,” said Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Abraham T Sangma.
The fire that was allegedly set by the robbers to divert attention almost melted the entire ATM machine though on closer look through the mangled remains, tampering was noticed. A video of the aftermath of the fire and ATM went viral on social media prompting residents to seek action against those responsible for the theft. A sensation has been created just by the way the entire theft has taken place.
An investigation into the matter is expected to reveal what exactly took place and how the criminals were able to cut through the highly secured cash box of the ATM.
