Gas cutter gang loots ₹39 lakh from Nizamabad ATMs
TELANGANA: Thieves created panic in Nizamabad after breaking into two automated teller machines and stealing about ₹39 lakh using gas cutters in the early hours of Saturday.
The incidents occurred between 3 am and 4 am and were carried out within a span of 18 to 20 minutes, police said.
Two ATMs targeted within minutes
About ₹13 lakh was stolen from a State Bank of India ATM at Varni Chaurasta under the Fifth Town police station limits. Another ₹26 lakh was looted from a Development Credit Bank ATM in the Pangra area under the Fourth Town police station limits.
Police said the machines were cut open with gas cutters, leaving them badly damaged. However, the cash cassettes were not affected, indicating careful handling by the thieves.
Planned operation, fake number plate used
Investigators believe the thefts were executed as part of a well-planned operation. The suspects wore masks and gloves to avoid identification and chose ATMs located 1.5 km to 2 km apart.
CCTV footage showed the thieves arriving in a car fitted with a fake number plate. The vehicle was seen entering from the Armur side and heading back the same way. Cameras near the Gutpa Apuroopa Venkateswara temple in Makloor mandal captured images of the car.
However, no footage was available at Ankappur, raising suspicion that the suspects may have diverted through another route or concealed the car inside a container-type vehicle.
The In-charge Commissioner of Police and Rajesh Chandra, Kamareddy Superintendent of Police, inspected both locations and spoke to bank managers. Vehicle checks have been intensified across the district.
Police said five special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the accused.
