An attempt to rob an automated teller machine (ATM) in Desham near Aluva using a country-made explosive failed in the early hours of Sunday after the thieves fled the scene on seeing an approaching police patrol vehicle.
The incident, which is reported to have happened around 2.35 a.m. as per the visuals received from the footage of the CCTV installed inside the ATM counter of the State Bank of India, has once again exposed the chinks in the security cover at hundreds of such facilities across Ernakulam district.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the estimated Rs.3-lakh cash inside the safe remained intact even though the top of the facility was blown off in the impact of the explosion.
Wearing helmet
“The examination of the surveillance video found that the suspect, who was wearing a black cloth to cover his face and a helmet over it, entered the ATM, carrying a bag on his shoulder. He then takes out a bottle and sprays some liquid on the CCTV to interrupt the recording process. Even though the visuals are not clear, he is seen keeping some object near the front slot of the ATM and walking out of it after lighting up a thread connected to the device. We have also found that the suspect reached the spot in a two-wheeler along with another person,” said police officials.
Shaju. V.S, Circle Inspector at the Nedumbassery police station, said that the explosion occurred within 30 seconds after implanting the device.
The suspect then enters the facility again to check whether the cash box was opened in the blast.
He remains inside the ATM for about 55 seconds and then is seen leaving the facility in a hurry even as the ‘Spider’ patrol team of the Ernakulam rural police reached the spot within two minutes of the incident.
No cash
The police immediately alerted the bank authorities, who confirmed that no cash was stolen.
Personnel of the bomb and dog squads were also pressed in to service. State Police Chief Loknath Behera visited the site along with other senior officials.
A team supervised by the Dy.SP, Aluva, and comprising the Circle and Sub-Inspectors of Nedumbassery police station has already launched a manhunt.
Footages from the CCTVs installed at commercial establishments along the National Highway near Desham could not be examined because it was a holiday.
Similar attempts
The police said that similar robbery attempts were made in Koratti in Thrissur a few months back and in Cherthala in 2011.
