MANGALURU: A gang of armed men robbed the Kotekar Vyavasaaya Seva Sahakaari Bank’s K C Road branch in Ullal of about Rs 10 crore, including Rs 11 lakh in cash, from after branding a pistol in broad daylight on Friday.
The gang threatened the five bank employees with a gun, sword and knife and took away the cash and other valuables in 4-5 bags. The robbery occurred at a time when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was attending an event at Mangaluru and police personnel had been diverted there for security.
The CCTV cameras in the bank were not working, and according to a bank employee, the robbers entered claiming to repair the cameras. This has given rise to suspicion whether a bank staffer may be involved.
Bank employee Deepa said. “Four men entered the bank and said ‘Sab nikalo, nikalo’. They threatened to kill us with a knife. They were also carrying a pistol and a sword. They first damaged the printer and said they would not hurt us. They said they were five of them and would leave with the valuables and cash”.
The getaway car had a number plate (KA 04 MQ 9923) of another car in Bengaluru and when the police called him, he was shocked. The car is suspected to have headed towards Kerala and the police are going through CCTV footage from all the toll plazas. The robbers had paid Rs 150 in cash at the Talpadi toll plaza near the Kasargod border. The CM has also strictly directed the police to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
Bank president Krishna Shetty said there is no security guard during the daytime since there is movement of people. “A security guard is posted after 5 pm, now we will consider having fulltime security. Our customers need not worry as the bank is insured for Rs 16 crore. Eight years ago, a similar robbery had occurred at our bank on a Friday”.