Hassan police have busted an inter-state ATM theft racket by arresting six people, including three from Uttar Pradesh, one each from Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Three revolvers, 12 bullets, gas cutters and a car were recovered from the accused, who were arrested on Thursday night.
The arrested are Anil Kumar (25) of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Rajaram (38) of Badayanur in UP, Rasid (28), a mechanic from Nainital in Uttarakhand, Bijender (32) of Rajasthan, Sandesh Shetty (28) of Sirasi in Uttara Kannada district and Nasbul (35) of Uttar Pradesh.
These people had attempted to take away cash from ATMs in Gandasi, Banavara and Goruru in Hassan district, Nagamangala in Mandya and Nanjangudu in Mysore. They were all arrested at Dodda Kadanuru village near Holenarasipur. The police caught this team during their investigation into an attempt to break open the ATM of Canara Bank near Abbanaghatta in Gandasi Police Station limits.
Superintendent of Police R.K. Shahapurwad, in a press conference here on Friday, said all accused had previous crime records. Anil Kumar was a sharpshooter and he was accused in a robbery case in Uttara Kannada. Sandesh Shetty was an accused in a murder case. Rajaram and Rasid have a similar background.
The officer said Sandesh Shetty came in contact with Anil Kumar and Rasid in a prison in Karwar. They had formed a group and were living in a house at Dodda Kadanuru for last one month. “They were sleeping keeping their revolver close to them,” the SP said.
The group, which had attempted to break open ATM at Ambanaghatta in May this year, had escaped after firing at the police, who had reached the spot after getting information about the attempt. Recently the gang had attempted to break open an ATM kiosk belonged to Corporation Bank at Goruru in Hassan taluk.
The SP said, “Our staff has done a commendable job in arresting these people. We are yet to get more details about other crimes they were involved. One more person of the group is still absconding.”
