Armed robbers threaten SBI’s Chadachan branch staff, make away with Rs 1.4 crore cash, 20 kg gold

VIJAYAPURA: A gang of masked men, carrying country-made pistols and other weapons, struck at the SBI branch in Chadachan town of Vijayapura district on Tuesday evening. The robbers decamped with Rs 1.4 crore in cash and over 20 kg of gold ornaments, the value of which is being ascertained.

Five masked men, dressed in military outfits, threatened the manager, cashier and other employees. The Chadachan police have launched a manhunt for the accused and are checking bank’s CCTV footage and seized the hard disk.

Sangamesh, an account holder, said he had kept 100 grams of gold jewellery and half kilogram of silver in his locker and had also taken a loan of Rs 2.5 lakh by pledging 40 grams of gold. It is said the bank’s security personnel was on leave for three months and the ATM kiosk near the bank was also locked from inside.

Of the five armed robbers, two stayed outside while three entered the bank, threatened the staff with country-made pistols and locked them in a room with their hands and feet bound. The robbers had visited the bank three days prior, wearing masks and observing staff movements.

The security guard at the ATM kiosk reportedly recognised one of the masked robbers. The robbers escaped after abandoning their getaway vehicle at Huljanti village in Solapur district of Maharashtra, after crashing into a bike. One of the robbers was briefly trapped in the village when locals blocked the road.

The police have blocked the roads leading to Maharashtra and other parts of Chadachan taluk. They suspect that a gang of robbers from Maharashtra may have been involved in the crime. The police are investigating the incident and have spread a net to catch the robbers, who split up after the heist.

The police are keeping a close watch on the area where the vehicle was abandoned and the bank. Forensic experts and sniffer dogs are examining the vehicle and the bank premises. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Chadachan police station.

Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, briefing on the bank robbery incident, said, “A masked man entered the bank at around 4.30 pm and he waited till closure time at 6.30. There were other people inside the bank. The masked man gave a signal to the other thieves to come inside. The bank lockers were still open at the closing time. The armed gang threatened the staff, bound their hands with tape and made away with Rs 1.4 crore in cash and 20 kg of gold, totaling Rs 2.4 crore. We have formed eight teams, traced a Maharashtra registered vehicle in Huljanti village, and found gold and cash in the car. The investigation is ongoing”.