An attempt by four masked men to steal from an ATM in Chikkajala on the city outskirts, after overpowering the security guard, was unsuccessful, as the gang fled after mistaking an ambulance siren for an approaching police vehicle.
Early on Saturday, while one of the men stood guard outside the ATM, three others barged into the Vijaya Bank ATM kiosk at Vidyanagar, and tried to break open the machine with a crowbar, a screwdriver and a hammer. The security guard, Krishnaiah, who was sleeping in the adjoining room where the UPS was kept, woke up to the noise and tried to raise an alarm, but the trio overpowered him. They tied his hands and legs, threatening to kill him if he raised his voice.
But, when they heard a siren blaring, they reportedly took off, thinking it was a police patrol vehicle.
Minutes after the ambulance went past the ATM kiosk, the security guard managed to untie himself and inform the police. The police have obtained closed circuit television camera footage from the spot.
Inquiries revealed that Krishnaiah had been working continuously for three shifts. This, a senior police official pointed out, was in violation of the new rules laid down by the police for security at ATMs. Besides, he said, the ATM did not have a burglar alarm, another requirement as per the new rules.
The Chikkajala police have taken up a case and are investigating.
